Benefits of flexible working

For employers, some of the arguments and drivers which are leading to a rapid increase in the take-up of flexible working practices are:

• Potentially significant reductions in fixed operating costs resulting from a decrease in office space requirements
• Reduction in the amount of time wasted in commuting
• More flexibility in the deployment of resource, for example the ability quickly to make available additional personnel at times of high customer demand
• The opportunity to improve customer service by making personnel accessible outside the normal core office working hours
• The ability to make use of specialist staff on a part-time or full-time basis who would otherwise be unavailable for work (e.g. people with health/mobility problems or with caring responsibilities)
• The ability for a small company to give the impression of being a larger organisation to the outside world.
• The capability for start-up companies to operate “virtually” i.e. all staff can work from home but have access to colleagues, information and facilities almost as though they are working in the same office.
• The need to adhere to employment legislation which increasingly obliges the employer to offer staff the opportunity to work flexibly
• The desire to maintain staff loyalty and minimise staff turnover

For individual employees given the ability to work flexibly, the benefits can be significant:

• Reduction in the amount of time spent travelling to a central office each (for some people, this can represent up to 40% of the working day)
• Reduction in the cost of travel (car running costs, parking, fares, etc.)
• Improved balance between work responsibilities and family commitments (the so-called work-life balance)
• Higher productivity when working at home
• Less stress
• Better overall use of time

It should be recognised that flexible working does not suit everyone. Some employees prefer the structured, rigid working day and perform better when surrounded by a group of colleagues. However, there are a great many people who are well suited to flexible working regimes and who not only improve their productivity but greatly enhance their own quality of life. C