With anyone eligible to ask to work from home and/or reduce their
hours, it seemed that a narrative long synonymous with working mothers
and childcare had finally broadened in scope.
Yet it appears we
are some way off the level playing field anticipated. While technology
continues to blur the boundary between home and the office and the rise
of the gig economy demands more workplace agility, it seems childless
employees are still experiencing a bias that makes a work-life balance a
pipedream.
"From accommodating religious commitments to managing
long-term medical conditions such as anxiety and depression, there are
many reasons why people need to work flexibly, but many employers still
view this as a privilege just for parents with young children," says
Kate Headley, director of consulting at The Clear Company, which helps
organisations recruit staff from a more diverse base.
"Instead,
they need to open up their thinking to adopt flexible working and
attract a whole new talent pool of qualified people that either can't or
choose not to work traditional hours."
And for freelance social
media director Georgie Gayler, who doesn't have children, a bias over
formal flexible working requests is only part of the story.
Read more....
