Study highlights positive impact of flexible working
The vast majority of employers (96%) offer some form of flexible working, with part-time work being the most popular. All large employers offer flexible working to some employees, as do 95% of medium-sized employers. Whilst there is a legal right to request flexible working (those with caring responsibility) nearly two-thirds of employers have provided this right to all employees. Thereby exceeding any statutory obligations.
The report found that a high proportion of both men and women used flexible working. Overall women took slight more advantage of flexible working opportunities, and were more likely to work part-time. Whereas men tended to use other types of flexible working to a greater extent, e.g. flexitime, working from home or mobile working.
Employers reported that flexible working had a positive impact in a number of areas, including, staff retention, employee motivation and employee engagement.
From an employee perspective positive impacts were identified in work-life balance, managing caring responsibilities for children or parents, reducing time-off and increased productivity.
The CIPD’s employee engagement index cites a strong association between employees achieving the right balance between work and home lives and engagement at work. In this index 79% of engaged employees agree or strongly that they achieve the right balance between their work and home lives.
5 Comments
I think that all employers now, need a progressive view on flexible working.
It’s key to measure people by their results and not their
I totally agree! Flexible working arrangements are one essential key for business success today and in the future!
I also think flexible working hours are important for the working parent and should allow further career development for women. This is turn should address current gender imbalance in certain areas of the business.
Working parents are one important group where flexible working can have a great impact. It works for lots of other groups too, “Achieving a balance between work and personal time is appealing to just about everybody…”
I agree with this. I think there are lots of groups who would benefit from flexible working. For example the group of people who have to care for elder dependants is constantly growing…