Unions Fear Possible End of 'Working From Home' Contracts as Reform Party Takes Control at KCC
But policy backfires after party was revealed to be offering same perk.
Unions say they fear that any plan by Kent County Council to halt working from home will adversely affect recruitment and lead to jobs becoming vacant.
Kent has no separate figures for employees who are on hybrid contracts, which permit them to work for a certain part of the week at home.
But the numbers who do so under existing legislation are thought to make up an increasingly significant element of the workforce.
The pledge by the Reform party to end working from home was rather undermined when it emerged the party was itself advertising vacancies in its own operations with the job specification including the ability to work from home.
Unison branch secretary for Kent, Sarah Barwick, said she would be calling for the new Reform Party administration at County Hall to clarify its policy and explain its position.
“I am worried and a little apprehensive about ending these contracts, as are many of our members. I will be seeking a meeting with the new administration,” she said.
One issue would be the possible lack of accommodation for KCC employees as part of County Hall is set to be sold. Other accommodation has been mothballed.
The newly-elected leader of the council, Linden Kemkaran, told Kent Online:
“We are going to look at every aspect of how every person works inside this building, but I am not ruling anything in or out at the moment.”
Party leader Nigel Farage singled out his party’s plans to end any agreements last week after scoring a decisive victory in a clutch of local councils, including Kent.
Farage, speaking on a visit to Kent after the party’s successes, said:
“No more work from home, increased productivity. That won’t be a magic wand, it won’t solve every problem, but it will be a good start and we’ll be judged on that.The Reform party advertised one post for a “regional director” offering “home working with occasional travel.”
Under existing legislation, all employees have the legal right to request flexible working. Employees can request a change the number of hours they work; when they start or finish work; the days they work and where they work.
Employees must make a formal application for change but there is currently no compulsion for employers to agree. They must only respond in a reasonable matter.