HR Industry News

Report highlights challenges of flexible working

— 5 July 2007 —

A new report has highlighted the challenges faced by employers and employees when dealing with flexible working.

Published by the Orange Future Enterprise coalition (OFEc), the report - entitled Beyond Boundaries - also emphasises how effective management of flexible working will help organisations be more competitive, successful and retain the best talent.

It follows 18 months of extensive qualitative and quantitative research and a survey of 1,440 workers was undertaken showing that more than half of the working population already have some sort of flexible working arrangement.

However 23% of workers have no formal agreement with their employer about how they do this.

I know of certain employers who have project teams with clear milestones; as long as the work gets done, it does not matter where and when it is undertaken. In effect, results are valued above the process itself and this can be beneficial for employees who work when they feel most productive.Paul Avis, Ceridian

The research also found huge differences when it came to high and low earners, with more than half of those earning more than £45,000 feeling they have control over their working hours compared to only one in three of those earning less that £25,000.

Robert Ainger from Orange said that the research shows that the UK business community has made a positive move towards the adoption of flexible working practices.

However, there are gaps between perception and reality and there are major challenges for both employers and employees in dealing with flexible working.

Paul Avis agrees, “Having policies and procedures does not always guarantee the ability to offer flexible working. Improving Working Lives is an extensive work/life and flexible working programme in the NHS but at ward level, patient care and clinical requirements can supersede the availability of annualised hours, career breaks, job sharing, phased retirements etc. The vision is there but sometimes not the resource to realise it!”

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