According to plans initially revealed by the news, workers would still be required to perform their contracted hours in order to receive their full salary, but they would also have the option to condense their hours into a shortened workweek.
According to Kevin Hollinrake, the shadow business secretary for the Conservatives, firms were “petrified” over the plans.
Ministers, however, are adamant that they would not force the move on employees or companies.
A Department for Business and Trade representative stated, “Any changes to employment legislation will be consulted on, working in partnership with business.
They clarified that the goal of the plan for more flexible working hours was to boost output and assist in placing more people back to work.
At the moment, employers are merely obligated to respond to requests for flexible work arrangements in a “reasonable manner”; employees are free to request such arrangements.
Morrisons eliminated its head office staff’s four-day work weeks earlier this year in response to employee feedback.
Staff members had to work certain Saturdays in order to make the four-day workweek work, which led to complaints and discontent.
Asda canceled a four-day workweek experiment in July after employees voiced concerns about the excessive demands of their longer workloads.
