Why Do We Need Flexible Working?

Work-life balance has become one of the top items on the agenda of many large organisations - and a top priority for workers everywhere.  Recent surveys have shown that the majority of workers want to work more flexibly, and adds that a variety of factors mean that it now makes sense to encourage a more flexible approach to work.

Benefits to society
These include:

  • rising numbers of young people, men and women alike, wanting to combine work and family life
  • the development of technology allowing more remote working.
  • an ageing population, meaning more demand for workers to have the flexibility to look after elderly relatives - by 2010 it is estimated that nearly 10 million people in the UK will have caring responsibilities for an elderly relative
  • growing numbers of women needing or wanting to continue working after having children and demanding work that recognises their experience and abilities
  • more people wanting to work reduced hours as they approach retirement
    growing numbers of young people in higher education, and needing to balance work and study

The advantages for employers
Campaigners say that the advantages of flexible working for employers are huge. Many enlightened British organisations, both large and small, from across a wide range of sectors have enjoyed real business benefits as a result of their modern approach to work-life balance.  More flexible working policies have helped businesses to improve customer service, reduce staff stress and absenteeism and reduce recruitment costs because their staff are happier.

  • reduced premises costs as more people work from home
  • increasing customer satisfaction as their needs are met around the clock
  • better staff motivation - flexibility encourages workers to feel more in control of their life and therefore happier
  • falling absenteeism and sickness
  • increased productivity
  • greater wellbeing among staff
  • increased ability to recruit and retain skilled employees
  • greater reduction in a company's carbon footprint as rush-hour traffic reduces.