Vacuum boss James Dyson blasts government plans to extend work from home rights as ‘economically illiterate and staggeringly self-defeating’

• James Dyson has attacked government plans to allow people to work from home
• Under current rules, employees can ask for flexible working after 26 weeks 
• If implemented, an employee can ask to work from home from their first day  

Sir James Dyson has condemned plans to give staff the right to work from home as ‘economically illiterate and staggeringly self-defeating’.

The entrepreneur, 75, said legislation proposed earlier this week to give workers flexible working rights from when they start a new job would make Britain less attractive for foreign companies.

Mr Dyson said the concept is being driven by ‘civil servants who enjoy working from home, despite the shockingly bad public service they often provide and their terrible track record of delivery’.

He also said the plan will jeopardise ‘the collaboration and in-person training that we need to develop new technology and maintain competitive-ness against global rivals’. Other business leaders have also expressed their concern about the plan.  

Sir James Dyson, pictured, has attacked government plans to allow employees to work from home

But Mr Dyson, who is based in Singapore and has an estimated net worth of £123billion, said the policy has led to ‘superficial attractions’ and accused ministers of ‘overreach’

Writing in the Times, Mr Dyson said: ‘To impose this policy during what is likely to be one of the worst recessions on record is economically illiterate and staggeringly self-defeating.’

Employees can currently make a flexible working request after 26 weeks in a job.

But Mr Dyson, who is based in Singapore and has an estimated net worth of £123billion, said the policy has led to ‘superficial attractions’ and accused ministers of ‘overreach’.

Announcing the measure, small businesses minister Kevin Hollinrake said: ‘Giving staff more say over their working pattern makes for happier employees and more productive businesses. Put simply, it’s a no-brainer.

‘Greater flexibility over where, when, and how people work is an integral part of our plan to make the UK the best place in the world to work.’

Under the plan, employers will be required to consult with their employee before rejecting a flexible working request. 

Employees will be entitled to make two requests in any 12-month period and the employer must respond within two months rather than the three months currently in the regulations. 

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