Flexible working boosts productivity, Labour claim, as minister attacks Tories for 'declaring war on working from home'

17 September 2024, 09:06

Jonathan Reynolds
Jonathan Reynolds. Picture: Alamy

By Kit Heren

A Labour minister has claimed that working from home boosts productivity, in a marked departure from the Conservatives' efforts to encourage workers back to the office.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

Jonathan Reynolds, the Business Secretary, said that the government wanted to end the "culture of presenteeism" in British workplaces.

Labour are set to bring forward a bill that would give workers more protections, ban zero-hours contracts and make flexible working a default right.

Mr Reynolds said that businesses' employees not having to answer emails or phone calls out of their normal office hours would make them more "motivated and resilient".

He also took aim at a Conservative predecessor, Jacob Rees-Mogg, who argued strongly in favour of people returning to the office more after the pandemic, when many had to work from home for public health reasons.

Read more: WFH council workers caught 'moonlighting' with second jobs by government fraud squad

Read more: Civil servants to be ordered back to the office for at least three days a week in WFH crackdown

Flexible working could make people more productive, Labour have said
Flexible working could make people more productive, Labour have said. Picture: Alamy

Britain's productivity has grown slower in recent years than other comparable countries, such as Germany and France. Experts recognise productivity as a complex problem with many causes including low levels of investment.

Some also blame a culture of widespread home working in many organisations for low productivity. Others point to studies that suggest working flexibly - sometimes remotely and sometimes in the office may increase productivity for some people.

Speaking to The Times, Mr Reynolds argued that flexible working contributes to productivity.

He said: "We've had flexible working laws for quite some time in the UK.

Jonathan Reynolds
Jonathan Reynolds. Picture: Getty

"I think where people reach agreement with their employer ... it does contribute to productivity, it does contribute to their resilience, their ability to stay working for an employer."

"The UK has very significant regional inequality. It could play a significant contribution to tackling that," he added.

He did concede that there are situations when it is "legitimate to need the workforce in the office", such as when new employees need to learn from those more experienced.

On the Tories approach to workers' rights, he said: "Jacob Rees-Mogg made this big thing as (then) business secretary (in) declaring war on people working from home.

"That's pretty bizarre given the economic position the country was in and the real business agenda that needs to be pursued."

Mr Reynolds took aim at Jacob Rees-Mogg
Mr Reynolds took aim at Jacob Rees-Mogg. Picture: Getty

Mr Reynolds also told the newspaper there is "genuinely nothing to worry about" when it comes to Labour's plans to introduce rights for employees to disconnect, meaning they cannot be contacted outside of work hours.

He said: "These are popular changes, both with the public and actually with businesses themselves.

"Every time we have a session with business where we are able to talk candidly, they are reassured by what we are saying and actually they support it”.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Pete Doherty of The Libertines has shared a worrying health update.

Pete Doherty risks having toes amputated in battle with Type 2 Diabetes, rock star tells fans in health update

£60 Million Worth of Watches Stolen in Britain Last Year Amid Rising Global Watch Crime

UK faces surge in luxury watch theft as stolen timepieces top £1.6 billion with £60 million taken in Britain last year alone

A graphic depiction of Israel’s military campaign against Hamas, the two documentary makers behind the project are now facing criticism over the children featured.

BBC blasted for 'blindly spouting propaganda' over claims Gaza documentary features Hamas leader's son

Alice da Silva Aguiar was one of the three children killed

Mother of Southport attack victim praises local community as she speaks out for the first time since knife rampage

Price reduction. Shopping basket containing only reduced price food, England, UK

UK inflation rises to 3% as households feel the squeeze

Celebrity Sightings In Los Angeles - February 18, 2025

ASAP Rocky embraces Rihanna as US rapper found not guilty of firing gun at former friend

Trump suggests Ukraine responsible for Russian invasion as he calls on country to elect new leader

Trump demands Zelenskyy hold elections as he suggests Ukraine responsible for Russian invasion

Rick Buckler

Rick Buckler, drummer of The Jam, dies aged 69 - former bandmate Paul Weller confirms

Kitchen knives on a magnetic bar holder on the wall

Round-edged blades safer alternatives than sharp-pointed kitchen knives, research shows - in bid to tackle knife crime

A large sinkhole has forced the closure of the high street in the Surrey village of Godstone

Homes evacuated and major incident declared after 65ft sinkhole appears in Surrey village

Lydia Mugambe

United Nations judge forced woman to work as slave after tricking her to come to UK, court hears

Craig and Lindsay Foreman

Did motorbike couple's 'happiness' survey prompt arrest on spying charges in Iran?

Abdirahman Ibrahim has been convicted of murder after driving into the back of Liam Jones

Killer driver mows down e-bike rider to 'teach him lesson' for doing wheelies

The Vatican says Pope Francis is being treated for 'bilateral pneumonia'

New scans show Pope Francis has pneumonia in both lungs but Vatican says he remains ‘in good spirits’

Meghan

Meghan Markle could face 'legal action' from Spanish town as her new luxury brand logo faces resemblance to coat of arms

The father of murdered schoolgirl Sara Sharif is reportedly being protected by a 'Muslim gang'

Sara Sharif's father protected by 'Muslim gang' in jail after being attacked with jagged tuna lid