10 Essential Resources for UK Employers and Employees Considering Flexible Working
A list of extremely useful sources for both employers and employees considering flexible working options, particularly focused on the UK.
Flexible Working and Work Life Balance from Direct.gov.uk
Flexible working opportunities can benefit everyone - employers, employees and their families. Most employers now recognise that it makes good business sense to provide flexible working opportunities for their staff. Find out if you have the right to request a flexible working pattern.
ACAS Advice leaflet - The right to apply for flexible working: A short guide for employers, working parents and carers
There are many different forms of flexible working that cover the way our working hours are organised during the day, week or year.
Flexible working can describe the place we work - such as homeworking - or the kind of contract we are on - such as a temporary contract.
See http://www.acas.org.uk/index.aspx?articleid=803
Department for Business and Innovation Skill
Guided by the principles of flexibility and partnership, BIS's aim is to improve the quality of working life for individuals, and create the conditions for business success. We support better regulation and are working to promote best practice and effective employment relations.
Work Wise - Working Smarter, Living Better
Work Wise UK is a not-for-profit initiative, which aims to make the UK one of the most progressive economies in the world by encouraging the widespread adoption of smarter working practices. Work Wise UK provides a central information service for the UK workforce and champions the dissemination of key information and best practice. Organised by the IT Forum Foundation, the initiative unites UK society, including the public and private sectors, professional bodies and trade unions and supports the broader use of smarter working as a modern day approach to working life.
See http://www.workwiseuk.org/
Flexible Working.org - The employers guide to increasing productivity through flexible working and teleworking
Supported by the South West Regional Development Agency, actnow flex was the first UK project to look in depth at the impacts of flexible working and teleworking on small and medium sized businesses. This toolkit is based on our research as well as feedback from businesses on their experiences of remote working and mobile working.
See http://www.flexible-working.org/
Working Families.org - Information for working families
Working Families is 30 years old. Our name defines two of
the most important parts of life: family and employment. These are
often in conflict. We feel passionately that this is
unnecessary, counter-productive and must change.
Things ARE changing. By working with parents and carers and
organisations alike, Working Families helps children, working
parents and carers and their employers find a better balance
between responsibilities at home and work. By operating in
the real world of pragmatic advice and practical solutions, we are
making our vision a reality.
See http://www.workingfamilies.org.uk/
Flexibility.co.uk - Europe's leading website for smarter working
Founded in 1993 - initially as a paper publication - Flexibility's mission has been to spread awareness of flexible working and the changing world of work, and the impacts of these changes on business, society and the environment.
See http://www.flexibility.co.uk/
Unison - Work Life Balance
Work-life balance has often proved to be an area where managers and union representatives can work together without conflict. Managers want fit, motivated and productive workforces who do their jobs well. UNISON wants its members to be treated fairly and to be given the chance to participate fully in the workplace without compromising their family commitments or general wellbeing.
See http://www.unison.org.uk/worklifebalance/
The Work Foundation
UK organisations are increasingly aware of the business case for work-life balance. A work-life policy that respects individual, customer and organisational needs can be beneficial to all.
See http://www.theworkfoundation.com/difference/e4wlb.aspx
Trade Union Congress
These are changing times. We live in an age when high quality goods and services are demanded outside of normal working or opening hours. Competitiveness, flexibility and quality services are key concepts in the organisation of work today - as are job security, job satisfaction and fairness. The successful employer, private or public, has to deliver on all these.
Business Link Flexible Working Guide
Flexible working - the law and best practice.
See http://www.businesslink.gov.uk/bdotg/action/detail?type=RESOURCES&itemId=1073791181
