Businesses
reap the benefits of flexible working
An increasing number of employers are offering tailor-made flexible working hours in a bid to retain their best staff, according to a recent survey.
In the latest Work-Life Balance Employer
Survey, commissioned by the Department for Business,
Indeed, part-time working has seen an 81% rise since 2001 and is now available in 92% of workplaces, whilst a significant increase in job sharing and flexi hours was also recorded (59%, up from 39% and 55%, up from 39% respectively).
Commenting
on the findings, Minister for Employment Relations, Pat McFadden, said: ‘More people want to
balance work with family and lifestyle and more employers are increasingly recognising that flexibility helps retain good staff.
‘We have
developed a staged approach for employees to request flexible working which is
proving effective - from giving the right to request flexible working to
parents with children under six on to carers of
disabled children under 18 and adults,’ he added.
Meanwhile,
an imminent Government review on the subject is expected to extend the right to
flexible working to parents of older children.
It has been estimated that businesses could save £42 million per year in
recruitment costs for flexible working parents and £3 million per year for carers.