Flexible working could provide a gateway back to work for more than 25,000 unemployed Scottish adults, according to figures from Flexibility Works.
The Scottish Government estimates 89,700 adults in Scotland are currently unemployed and looking for work.
Flexibility Works’ research with 208 unemployed Scottish adults shows 28% feel a role with flexible working would make the difference in enabling them to secure a job.
This could be the equivalent of 25,116 people across Scotland, yet 48% of those Flexibility Works spoke to have been put off applying for roles because no flexibility was mentioned in the job advert.
Flexibility Works is encouraging employers to explore greater flexibility for their workers and better promote existing flexible working in job adverts and during the recruitment process.
Leveraging flexible working in recruitment benefits employers too, by attracting candidates from wider pools of talent.
Flexibility Works is also calling on the Scottish Government to better support employers explore new ways of working, and to be bolder in setting expectations for employers, as part of measures to reduce economic inactivity and poverty.
Nikki Slowey, co-founder and director at Flexibility Works, said: “For many people, flexible working isn’t just a perk, it’s absolutely essential in order to work at all. And yet, even with the rise in flexible working due to the pandemic, there are still not enough flexible jobs for those who need them.
“More frustratingly, many employers don’t mention existing flexible working when they’re recruiting, making it even harder for people to find the flexibility they need, and harder for companies to fill vacant roles.
“We’re encouraging employers to promote the flexible working they already have, and to explore where they can create flexibility when designing and advertising jobs. All the evidence shows this is hugely beneficial for employers too by attracting more quality candidates from wider talent pools.
“There’s a greater role for the Scottish Government too, if we’re serious about tackling child poverty and rising economic inactivity.
“Holyrood can’t set new employment laws, but as a major funder, contract commissioner and leader of national economic projects, the Government should be more proactive in influencing business leaders to embrace flexible working, and it should provide more support to employers that want to change but don’t have the resource and internal expertise to do so.”
The Scottish Government supports Flexibility Works and part-funded the research.
Business and Employment Minister Richard Lochhead said: “I welcome these insights in support of our policy aims to tackle economic inactivity and improve the working lives of people in Scotland.
“With the limited powers at our disposal, the Scottish Government has supported flexible, family-friendly working from day one of employment where we can. Through initiatives like our Parental Employability Support offer, we’re helping more parents move into work, progress in their careers and boost their household incomes.
“We are also committed to funding pilot projects over the course of 2025-26 to help employers implement flexible working, improve recruitment practices to create a more diverse workforce and offer enhanced support for disabled employees.”