Plans to force businesses to offer flexible working to employees welcomed

Plans to force businesses to offer flexible working to employees have been welcomed by employers, according to Personnel Today.

Over half of the 1000 people polled by Hays said they were in favour of the government's plans to bring in legislation forcing employers to offer flexible working. As a result, almost three quarters of employers expect the number of requests for flexible working will increase.

As reported by HR Magazine, the majority of employers who offer flexible working do so as a way of supporting their employees. However, only 29% feel that offering flexible working is integral to the success of their business.

Charles Logan, director at Hays, said in a statement: "Employers and their staff see flexible-working policies as a positive move but more needs to be done to make sure these are implemented in the workplace... The research shows clear evidence that flexible working can improve productivity and work-balance, if employers can make the types most desired by staff available."

The vast majority (85%) of employees polled said that if their employer was to introduce more flexible working options, such as working from home or job shares, they would be more likely to stay with them. An overwhelming 95% of employees said that flexible-working improves the work-life balance and a fifth of job seekers see such policies as an essential factor when choosing a job.

What the poll doesn't say is that offering flexible-working could prove a useful absence management tool. According to HRM Guide, a study in 2001 found that flexible-working helped reduce employee absenteeism.

Mr Logan added: "As pay freezes remain in place for many organisations, across both sectors, looking at how to retain your staff and keep them engaged is moving up the agenda. Offering simple flexible-working options could make the difference between keeping or losing staff at a critical time, when the best employees are needed to drive recovery."