Flexible working recommended to small businesses

Small businesses have been encouraged to facilitate and promote flexible working practices within their organisations.

According to research by Hays, 55 per cent of employers have welcomed government plans to introduce legislation requiring them to offer flexible working to all employees.

Stephen Overell, associate director for the Work Foundation, said that it was no surprise to also see an increasing demand for flexible working from workforces.

“It is something that both sides – workers and employers can gain from. For example, flexible working is often quite a good way to meet customer needs if they are beyond standard working hours,” he added.

“So for 24/7 [the] needs of consumers can be served by flexible working and it also serves the needs of workers who maybe have children, or demands on their time, and they need a way to fit work around it.”

Earlier this year, a survey by PricewaterhouseCoopers established that flexible working was the most valued benefit for employees, ahead of other perks such as bonuses.

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