You can read our comment in The Times today about how many businesses may think they’ve nailed flexible working because office staff are successfully working from home.

But our research shows the reality for many employees is far from satisfactory, especially if they are frontline workers who can’t ‘do hybrid’.

One in three (33%) Scottish workers told us they still have absolutely no choice or control over when or where they work. A similar number (29%) said they weren’t likely to work more flexible hours, a particular blow for frontline workers.

Yet demand for flexible working is rocketing with seven in 10 Scottish workers saying they want more flex in their role. This includes working from home and more flexible hours.

And we know flexible workers – whether they’re office based or frontline – are more motivated and productive, take less time off sick and are less likely to leave their employer than colleagues who don’t work flexibly.

Flex on the frontline can be about more flexible hours. But it’s often simply about better planning, and having input to rotas.

Frontline workers make up a significant portion of our workforce and their expectations about how they want to work are rising, and fast. The fact many frontline roles have high vacancy numbers means it’s even more crucial employers get to grips with all forms of flexible working, and for all workers, in 2022.