New plan for right to WFH

MILLIONS of employees will have the right to demand working from home on their first day of a new job under laws being drawn up by ministers to improve the work-life balance.

But critics last night said it could be a blow for smaller businesses and starve city centres of commuter trade.

At present, workers can demand to work from home only after six months in a new job.

Small businesses minister Kevin Hollinrake said last night: ‘Giving staff more say over their working pattern makes for happier employees and more productive businesses. ’

But former Tory leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith said: ‘What you end up with if you’re not careful is small businesses finding it difficult to get certain jobs done because people just say “I’m heading off home”.’