Working from home boosts productivity, Jonathan Reynolds says

However, Reynolds said Labour’s plans to address workers’ rights should not be alarming for business leaders.

Since April, workers have had the right, external – introduced under the previous government – to ask for flexible working as soon as they start a job, but firms do not have to agree.

Labour had promised to introduce legislation on workers’ rights within 100 days of being elected, although Reynolds said this would not mean immediate changes to the law.

The plans include a right to flexible working by “default” and the repeal of anti-strike legislation brought in under the Conservatives.

Reynolds criticised one of his Tory predecessors, Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg, who had said he wanted to end the culture of working from home in the civil service but also in wider industry.

“That’s pretty bizarre given the economic position the country was in and the real business agenda that needs to be pursued,” Reynolds said.

The interview coincides with an announcement from Amazon that all staff will be expected to work in the office five days a week from January.

The company said staff could still work from home in unusual circumstances, such as caring for a sick child or a house emergency, but chief executive Andy Jassy said “our expectation is that people will be in the office”.

Earlier this year, Morrisons scrapped four-day working weeks for its head office staff following feedback that in order to make it work, staff had to work some Saturdays.

Asda also shelved a four-day week trial after staff complained that the longer shifts were too demanding.