Britain is witnessing the emergence of a two-tier workforce, with a significant divide between office-based employees and frontline workers. Office staff are increasingly benefiting from flexible working arrangements, while those in sectors such as retail, transport, health, social care, and construction remain "frozen in time." This division affects approximately 10.5 million people, accounting for about a third of the UK's workforce. Despite the right to request flexible working, many frontline workers remain unaware and unable to benefit from such arrangements, while employers often refuse requests citing "good business reasons."
Property developer BAM has been at the forefront of piloting flexible working schemes since 2019, gradually expanding them across its UK workforce of 6,700 employees. Between 2019 and 2024, over 1.3 million office-based workers have gained access to flexible hours, representing 14% of all desk-based roles. However, this flexibility has not extended to the UK's 3.4 million shift workers, with only 6% reporting any ability to vary their working hours, a figure unchanged in recent years.
A year-long research programme by Timewise highlights that businesses in shift-dependent sectors face challenges in adopting flexible working practices. Clare McNeil from Timewise emphasizes the complexity of scheduling and rostering as major barriers.
“It is complex in terms of scheduling, in terms of rostering, and there are a number of other barriers we identified,” – McNeil
The need for flexibility extends beyond convenience, impacting essential daily needs.
“For millions of site-based and shift-based workers in particular, it is impossible to meet essential needs like being able to take time out for a medical appointment, to plan ahead or to manage working hours around a health condition,” – Clare McNeil
This disparity between office and frontline workers creates a significant divide.
“This is creating a two-tier workforce between office-based employees who are increasingly better able to manage the demands of work and life, and the frontline workers who keep our country moving,” – Clare McNeil
BAM envisions flexible working as a strategy to modernize the construction industry and attract younger talent.
“We see this as an ability to bring the industry into the 21st century,” – Kim Sides
Kim Sides of BAM highlights that flexibility can be addressed even for those required to be physically on-site.
“If you have to be physically on site, it doesn’t mean that flexibility can’t be dealt with in some other way, whether that’s different starting hours, different completing hours.” – Kim Sides
Despite legislative efforts with the employment rights bill progressing through parliament, Timewise calls for government action to ensure that lower-paid workers also benefit from these changes. The report coincides with an international survey where work-life balance surpassed pay as the primary motivator for employees for the first time.