HR Industry News

Flexible working on the rise

— 12 September 2007 —

A recent survey suggests that businesses are increasingly accepting requests for flexible and part-time working.

The influence of mobile technology should not be underestimated in transforming the way we work. When I started work, stopping at red telephone boxes with piles of 2, 5 and 10p pieces was the norm, so whilst this is a gradual revolution, its significance cannot be overlooked!

Paul Avis, Ceridian

The research, carried out by the CBI and Pertemps, shows that staff motivation and retention is increasing thanks to an increased offer of flexible working solutions. 95% of employers offer at least one form of flexible working, whereas 2/3 of them offer at least 3.

45% now offer flexible working, as opposed to 31% two years ago. The number of companies offering sabbaticals has almost doubled, while the proportion of companies offering teleworking now stands at 50%, compared to 11% two years ago.

This can be explained partly by a poor public transport infrastructure and the improvement in mobile technology which has made remote working easier.

The CBI states that 9 in ten requests for flexible working are now being accepted by employers, notably for parents and carers.

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