Flexible work is one of those things that there is a lot of evidence supporting it, and indeed lots of evidence from employees that they want it, but there remains a gap between wanting it and actually asking for it, at least for men that is.  That was the finding of a recent study from the University of Kent, which found many male workers had a negative view of flexible work, not only for themselves, but for the way others having it impacts their work.

The findings emerged from an analysis of data collected from the UK government’s 2011 Work-Life Balance Survey.  The researchers specifically wanted to test whether there was any stigma attached to flexible work, and indeed flexible workers.  Sadly, it seems that most of those who held negative views about those who work flexibly were men, with women most often the brunt of such opinions.

Sadly, a further 18% of people said their careers had directly suffered as a result of their flexible working, which the authors propose is one reason why relatively few workers request something that was made available by law to all workers in 2014.

Flexible workers

Those who were most likely to work flexible were mothers who worked either part-time or on reduced hours.  They were much more likely to have flexible working than those who worked full-time.  Sadly, these people were also most likely to report that their careers had suffered as a result.  Interestingly, for men, they believed that it was other people working flexibly that harmed their own careers.

“It is clear there are still many people who view flexible working as a negative and for different reasons,” the researchers say.  “This has major implications for how employers introduce and offer flexible working arrangements in their organisation, especially as the government looks to increase the rights of workers to request flexible working.”

The authors believe that more needs to be done than simply introducing the right to flexible work, as entrenched cultural biases remain that value long hours and presenteeism as the key metrics for success.  They believe that flexible work will remain a fringe activity until these biases are challenged and overcome.