Committee publication · Engagement document · 30 April 2026
Flexible working and disability terms of reference - easy read version
Summary
The Women and Equalities Committee's easy-read version of its flexible working and disability terms of reference invites public input on how flexible work arrangements affect disabled people's employment. The committee seeks evidence on whether post-pandemic workplace flexibility has meaningfully closed the disability employment gap, and asks respondents to share experiences across different disabilities, sectors, and protected characteristics, as well as views on the Employment Rights Act 2025 and government support schemes.
Key findings
- Flexible working—where employees choose when, where, and how often to work—has expanded since Covid-19 and helps disabled people overcome work barriers
- Despite increased flexible working uptake, the disability employment gap remains substantial, indicating flexible work alone has not substantially improved disabled people's employment rates
- The committee is seeking evidence on whether the Employment Rights Act 2025, Equality Act duties on reasonable adjustments, Access to Work scheme, and Equality and Human Rights Commission enforcement are effective and clear
- Key areas of enquiry include whether disabled workers experience flexible working differently by disability type, age, sex, race, ethnicity, and employment sector
- The committee wants to understand impacts of employer 'back to office' mandates on disabled workers and identify best-practice examples of flexible working access that could be scaled across sectors
Tone
ProceduralTopics
Key actors
Women and Equalities Committee, House of Commons, Parliament, Government, Members of Parliament, Equality and Human Rights Commission, Access to Work scheme
Notable line
“Flexible working helps disabled people overcome barriers to paid work. Barriers are things that get in the way and stop things happening.”
Key Quotes
“Flexible working is when you have choices about how often, when and where you work.”
“Flexible working helps disabled people overcome barriers to paid work.”
“Flexible working helps many disabled people, but the disability employment gap is still very big.”
“We want to know how rules and laws about flexible working could be better for disabled people.”
Source · parliament.uk record ↗