Employers have given their backing to flexible working in a new survey.
Carried out by the Institute of Directors (IoD), the survey of 500 firms found that 86 per cent of respondents operate flexible working practices and that 93 per cent reported they would use flexible working even if there was no regulatory requirement to do so.
A half said that flexible working had had a material and positive effect on the bottom-line. Productivity, profitability, customer service, recruitment, retention, absenteeism, overhead costs, morale, team working and knowledge sharing had all improved as a result.
The main motivations for introducing flexible working practices were recruitment, staff loyalty and supporting business needs. The least important reason cited by employers was complying with regulations, which suggests that businesses are already ahead of any legislative policy, the IoD said.
The survey also questioned employers on the government’s proposed extension of the right to request flexible working to parents of older children. Some two-thirds of firms said that any extension would have no significant impact, although 26 per cent expressed concerns that the extension would adversely affect their operations.
Miles Templeman, director general of the IoD, highlighted the development of flexible working irrespective of any regulations.
He said: “In terms of both time and location, flexible working practices are almost certain to expand considerably over the coming years. What business doesn’t need is the heavy hand of government, when, as this survey shows, the business case is far more compelling and persuasive than regulation. The world of work will be revolutionised and maybe sooner than we think.”
Mr Templeman added: “This new report provides yet more evidence that flexible working is good for employers, employees and customers. We know that there is widespread availability and take-up of flexible working, and as more and more companies see the benefits the faster change will occur. Whilst we support everybody having the right to ask for flexible working, employees need to be realistic that in some circumstances it will not be possible.”
Date:1 July 2008
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