The rise of hybrid work and employee rights
Hybrid work has transformed the way employees and companies operate, blending remote work with in-office collaboration. But do UK employers have to offer hybrid work? While the law doesn’t mandate a hybrid workplace, employees now have more rights than ever when it comes to requesting flexible hybrid working arrangements.
In this guide, we’ll break down what UK law says about hybrid remote work, how employees can negotiate hybrid work from home, and what employers should consider when managing a hybrid workforce effectively.
Jump to:
- The rise of hybrid work and employee rights
- UK hybrid work laws: Do employers have to offer hybrid work?
- Your right to request hybrid work
- Making hybrid work: How to successfully request a hybrid work arrangement
- Managing a hybrid workforce: What employers need to know
- Key considerations for employers
- FAQs on hybrid work in the UK
- The future of hybrid work in the UK
- References and further reading
UK hybrid work laws: Do employers have to offer hybrid work?
Employers in the UK are not legally required to provide hybrid remote work options. However, recent changes in employment law have strengthened workers’ rights to request remote and hybrid work arrangements.
Your right to request hybrid work
From April 2024, UK employees can request hybrid and flexible working from the first day of employment. This right allows workers to propose a hybrid way of working, whether that means a mix of hybrid office and home-based work or a fully hybrid remote setup. This is now part of the Employment Relations (Flexible Working) Act 2023, which updates the statutory framework for flexible working requests.
Employers must review these requests fairly and respond within a reasonable timeframe. They can only reject requests for valid business reasons, such as:
✅ The cost of implementing hybrid work technology
✅ A negative impact on productivity or teamwork
✅ The inability to restructure job roles to accommodate a hybrid workforce
Employers rejecting a request must provide clear, justified reasons.
Making hybrid work: How to successfully request a hybrid work arrangement
If you’re an employee who wants to work in a hybrid workspace, here’s how you can make a strong case for it:
1. Research hybrid working trends
According to research by Microsoft, McKinsey, Gartner and Gallup, hybrid workers report feeling more satisfied, more productive, and better able to focus than those in traditional settings.
- Microsoft Work Trend Index
- McKinsey American Opportunity Survey
- Gartner Hybrid Work Insights
- Gallup State of the Workplace Report
2. Present a hybrid work plan
Outline how you plan to maintain performance and collaboration in a remote hybrid environment. Highlight:
- How many hybrid work days per week you’re requesting
- How you’ll stay connected using hybrid workplace technology (Zoom, Slack, Microsoft Teams)
- How you’ll manage productivity in a hybrid workspace
3. Address employer concerns
Some businesses worry that a hybrid work system might reduce efficiency. Propose solutions, such as regular check-ins, use of hybrid work apps, and clear performance tracking.
Find out how to request flexible working (with templates)
Access flexible working request templates below
Flexible working request templatesManaging a hybrid workforce: What employers need to know
For employers, managing hybrid workforce strategies are crucial for making hybrid models successful. Companies like Morgan Stanley, Salesforce, and Google have embraced flexible policies while ensuring strong team collaboration.
Managing hybrid teams effectively requires clarity, structure, and communication. Employers should:
- Set clear expectations around availability, productivity, and in-office days.
- Use collaborative tools like Slack, Notion, or Microsoft Teams to maintain communication.
- Encourage regular check-ins and feedback loops to promote transparency and alignment.
- Monitor team morale and performance with regular surveys or one-on-ones.
Example: See CIPD’s guide to successful hybrid working practices.
Key considerations for employers
Hybrid office setup:
- Invest in hybrid office technology and tools like Robin workplace management to optimise workspaces.
Clear policies:
- A well-defined hybrid working toolkit ensures fairness and transparency.
Employee wellbeing:
- Research shows that hybrid working and wellbeing go hand in hand. Employees with flexibility report better mental health and job satisfaction.
FAQs on hybrid work in the UK
The future of hybrid work in the UK
With the rise of hybrid work and post-pandemic hybrid work, more businesses are adapting to the new hybrid workplace. Studies from HBR and McKinsey indicate that hybrid work is here to stay.
If you’re an employee, now is the time to explore your hybrid flexible working rights. And if you’re an employer, embracing hybrid and remote work can boost retention, productivity, and overall workplace satisfaction.
Are you ready to embrace the hybrid office?
References & further reading
For more insights on hybrid work, employee rights, and best practices for managing a hybrid workforce, explore the following resources:
UK hybrid work laws & employee rights
- UK Government: Flexible Working Rights – Official guidance on employees’ rights to request hybrid remote work.
- ACAS Hybrid Working Guide – Best practices for both employers and employees when implementing hybrid work from home policies.
Hybrid work trends & research
- Gartner Hybrid Work Report – Analysis of how hybrid workspace trends are shaping businesses.
- McKinsey Hybrid Working Report – Insights on the future of hybrid and remote work.
- Gallup Hybrid Work Study – Data on employee satisfaction and productivity in a hybrid workforce.
Best practices for managing a hybrid workforce
-
- Harvard Business Review: Managing Hybrid Workforce – Strategies for effectively managing a hybrid workforce.
- Microsoft Hybrid Work Insights – How hybrid workplace technology is changing team collaboration.
- CIPD Hybrid Working Toolkit – Guidance for employers on implementing hybrid and flexible working.
About the author: This article was written by Amelia Miller, a published psychologist and fellow at Cambridge University, specialising in gender differences in hiring.
Looking for flexible work?
All the jobs on our site are hand-vetted for their flexibility and parent-friendly policies
Find your new flexibilityFeatured Blog Posts
