Despite pandemic-induced mass flexible working, of the few jobs being advertised in the UK right now, four in five offer no flexible working options whatsoever, say flexible working experts Timewise, following unique analysis of more than six million job vacancies.

By flexible working, Timewise means anything other than full-time, workplace-only roles.

Increasing unemployment rates makes finding a new job hard for everyone. But flexible workers face an especially stark situation, as 78% of jobs being advertised in the UK make no reference to any type of flexible working options whatsoever.

The proportion of job vacancies in the UK that do offer flexible options, rose to just 22% during the first national lockdown, an increase of five percentage points from 2019, when the rate was 17%.

Yet the numbers of people working from home rose from 6% to 43% in late March 2020, with levels dropping back to 37% by June.

Timewise isolated a small sub-sample of 1,000 job adverts that do offer home-working, and also referenced the pandemic. More than half indicated these roles will revert to the office when possible, suggesting that some of the flexibility on offer to candidates right now is just short-term.

Timewise warns that a widening gap between working reality and what job vacancies offer means rising inequalities will be compounded.

Low paid workers – the majority of whom work part-time, women, carers, older workers and those managing health problems – are all key groups known to already be disproportionately affected by the pandemic. With so few vacancies being offered with flexible options, in the context of an already ‘decimated’ jobs market, those who need flexible working face being excluded from the race to find new jobs.

Timewise CEO Emma Stewart, MBE says:

“The outlook for all jobseekers is stark but for those needing to work flexibly it is even worse. Women, carers, older workers and those with health concerns are currently at the greatest risk of becoming ‘flexcluded’ from work, as new ways of working fail to be reflected in employers’ recruitment advertising. We are calling on employers to simply adopt the same approach for job seekers as they are currently taking with employees, and to say so in job adverts. Whether offering remote working, or part-time hours, or staggered start and finish times. We have a real opportunity as we rebuild the economy to finally create a level playing field for the millions for whom flex is now both a necessity and an expectation.”

Timewise’s annual Flexible Jobs Index research is supported by Aviva, EY, Lloyds Banking Group and the Recruitment & Employment Confederation.

Neil Carberry, the CEO of the Recruitment & Employment Confederation says:

“Flexible working is vital to an economic recovery which leaves nobody behind. It’s great for businesses too, giving employers potential to build a more engaged and diverse workforce, which is essential for long-term success. As this research shows, building flexibility into jobs plans still has a way to go. That’s exactly what the UK’s professional recruiters are here to help with.”

Danny Harmer, Chief People Officer, Aviva says:

“The way many organisations have responded to COVID-19 has bust some of the myths that existed around homeworking and proved that many types of work can be done from any location. Organisations need to think about what achieves the best outcome for employees, customers and the business. Allowing people to work flexibly in terms of where, how and when they work, and articulating this in job adverts, helps organisations attract a wider range of talent. Flexible working can have a positive effect on wellbeing too, which is good for everyone.”

Lynn Rattigan, the Chief Operating Officer of EY in the UK & Ireland says:

“At EY, our roles are advertised with flexible working possibilities by default. Flex empowers, it does not hold back. We recognise that’s the key to building a diverse, dynamic workforce.”

Fiona Cannon, Group Sustainable Business Director, Lloyds Banking Group says:

“At Lloyds Banking Group we have incorporated agile practices our recruitment and now 93% of our jobs offer a flexible option. Not only does this create a fairer playing field, but it opens up new and diverse pools of talent to help us meet the changing needs of our customers.”