- Introduction
The BC Provincial Government invites experienced policy research groups to submit proposals for conducting research and producing policy briefs on the topic of flexible work and the potential issues, opportunities and risks it represents across a range of sectors and interest groups. The aim is to develop informed policy positions across government portfolios that address the impact of flexible work arrangements on, but not limited to, labour, economic growth, and health and family across our region.
- Background
Many economic, social and cultural factors combine today to raise diverse questions about the nature and feasibility of flexible work. Factors like increased automation, changing technology, remote/hybrid work opportunities, accessibility and equity issues, environmental challenges, and the instability of the gig economy are just some of the issues that pressure us, as a society, to rethink questions of flexibility and work .
Focus/Scope
The impact of a changing world of flexible work is different for different groups, across fields and industries. Labour market impact might include questions of employment rates, job satisfaction and productivity; economic impacts might include questions of growth, innovation and competitiveness; and health and social impacts might include questions of balance, mental and physical health, and social values.
Perspective/Interest
But not everyone is affected by these issues in the same way. Many interest groups will have diverse views about the issues, risks and opportunities related to flexible work; these interest groups include labour, small business, large organizations, non-profits, public interest groups, as well as segments of the population, such as shift workers, working parents and accessibility advocates.
Taking Action
Ministries within the BC Provincial government are facing pressure to develop policy stances on a variety of issues related to the changing nature of work, including increasing opportunities to define and implement flexible work models. These policy stances might be needed across many different government portfolios, including economic development and innovation, labour, environment, health and social initiatives, and family development.
To support the development of policy stances across these areas, the government is soliciting research on the topic of flexible work, and the potential issues, risks and opportunities it represents across a range of sectors and interest groups. The goal is to gather arguments representative of a range of perspectives and interests across the region on this issue to inform future decision making.
- Scope and expectations of Work
The selected policy research group will be responsible for defining a specific focus and perspective on this topic, conducting in-depth secondary research, and producing a policy brief. The policy brief should thus be transparent in the perspective and interests it represents and provide a clear set of evidence-based recommendations that can be used to inform policy stances on the implementation of flexible work practices. Finally, the research group will be responsible for producing a communication package to disseminate the findings of the policy brief to different audiences; this package will include a variety of multimedia materials that can be used to share the recommendations.
- Project scope
- Projects can look at various aspects of flexible work conversation, from any economic, social or cultural perspective, including, but not limited to:
- Labour market impact
- The effects of flexible work arrangements on employment, job satisfaction and productivity.
- The challenges and opportunities associated with incorporating flexible work arrangements into different industries and settings.
- Economic Impact
- How flexible work does or does not contribute to economic growth, innovation and competitiveness.
- Potential economic benefits and risks of expanded adoption of flexible work practices in any sector.
- Health and well-being
- The impact of flexible work on the physical and mental health of employees.
- Best practices for promoting work-life balance.
- Potential cultural and social impacts of flexible work on segments of the population, such as parents, those with accessibility considerations, and different cultural worldviews.
Research scope
All research materials used in the development of proposals and policy briefs must be from within the previous 24 months (2-years) to ensure timely and relevant work to inform future policy development . No primary research will be undertaken or included in this project. Synthesis of existing research studies only.