UNISON's survey highlights that three in ten women in the public sector face denials when requesting flexible work arrangements due to employers' perceived inflexibility. A quarter of those discouraged from seeking changes report repeated refusals over their tenure. UNISON's general secretary, Christina McAnea, criticizes this trend, stating that the current right-to-request framework lacks efficacy for many women. McAnea advocates for an immediate right to flexible work, emphasizing its benefits for both employees and employers in modernizing workplaces.

As the demand for workplace flexibility grows to address various needs, employers must adapt to retain talent, foster work-life balance, and prioritize employee well-being. Shifting away from hustle culture requires employers to demonstrate empathy and accommodate personal circumstances. And for women in the workforce who are often juggling careers with caregiving responsibilities, flexible work arrangements empower women to effectively manage these responsibilities while pursuing their careers, reducing the stress and guilt associated with juggling competing priorities.

By accommodating flexibility, employers not only support women in achieving work-life harmony but also foster a more inclusive and equitable work environment that recognizes and respects the diverse needs of their workforce. To appeal to the majority of UK women advocating for an automatic right to flexibility, companies like OVO Energy and Samsara offer progressive policies such as unlimited compassionate leave and proactive promotion of female employees, setting a precedent for accountability and inclusivity in the workplace.