By Jo Seery, Professional Support Lawyer
The Women and Equalities Committee has launched an inquiry into disabled people’s access to flexible working, amid growing concern that the post‑pandemic shift towards home and hybrid working has not translated into improved employment outcomes for disabled workers.
Despite greater flexibility around hours, shift patterns and location, the disability employment gap remains entrenched. Government figures show that in Q2 2025 only 52.8% of working‑age disabled people were in employment, compared with 82.5% of non‑disabled people. The Committee, chaired by Labour MP Sarah Owen, will examine why this cultural shift has not delivered meaningful change and what further legislative or policy interventions may be required.
The inquiry will look at how disabled workers across different sectors and impairment groups experience flexible working, and how employer practices — including recent “back to the office” mandates — affect recruitment, retention and progression. It will also scrutinise the effectiveness of the flexible working provisions in the Employment Rights Act 2025, and whether workers understand their rights under the Equality Act 2010, particularly around reasonable adjustments.
The aim of the Inquiry is to identify best practice and assess whether the Government should go further to ensure disabled people can access flexible working on equal terms. The Committee will gather evidence over the coming months before making recommendations.
The inquiry is now open for evidence, with parliamentary sessions to follow. Its conclusions are expected to inform future legislation aimed at reducing the disability employment gap and improving employer’s duty to make reasonable adjustments.
