Can businesses benefit from a flexible working policy? Who is set to gain more from such a policy: the employer or the employee?
Marc Barber, editor smallbusiness.co.uk
'Flexible working' has become a marketing term used by technology companies to describe using a laptop, PDA, mobile of other piece of gadgetry for your business.
You might say: "What's the big deal?"
"You don't have to work at your desk," says the technology company.
"I know that already," comes the reply.
And there it should end.
Flexible working, in the proper sense, can include flexi-time, annualised hours, job sharing and home working. Used correctly, these can reduce overheads and help to both attract and retain the best staff.
As an employer, you may think that 'working from home' is a euphemism for catching up on The Jeremy Kyle Show and drinking tea, but it's not always the case. It can allow people to work effectively away from the distractions of the office, and also reduce the need for a full workstation, thereby saving money.
In terms of attracting the best people, flexibility in working hours can be a clincher in getting a candidate to accept a position (working mums, for instance). Moreover, a degree of flexibility with your staff concerning commitments outside of work (a sick family member, children etc) will be appreciated and, in theory, should foster greater loyalty and commitment.
As with anything, as an employer, you need to set out the rules so you're not seen as a soft touch and put checks in place to ensure that the work is getting done.
John Wright, chairman of the Federation of Small Businesses
Flexible working is advantageous for everyone. I recently heard from an accountancy firm which epitomises how flexible working can help a small business thrive. A member of staff recently told her boss that she needed to work more hours, and said that if the owner wasn't able to give them to her, she would have to find employment elsewhere. The office manager heard the news and took the issue in hand, rearranging staff hours so that everybody could work around a more adaptable schedule. The office is now open from 8.30am until 5.30pm - gaining an extra hour per day - the employer kept an invaluable member of staff and the rest of the team are more satisfied with their new flexible hours.
Flexible working can work for everyone and can include anything from shorter hours to term-time employment, late starts and working from home. It can be a useful tool in reducing costs for small and medium sized enterprises without losing priceless skills from the workforce.
A happy and productive workforce is key to a successful business, and as in the case shown above, benefits your business. The flexibility for employees to choose their own hours has a positive impact on their performance at work, and can make your life simpler in the process.
