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Flexible working practice 'a reality for many businesses'

Published On 23 April 2007 at 15:24:52

A new report has revealed the extent to which the UK's small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are offering their employees flexible working practices.

According to the British Chamber of Commerce (BCC), 89 per cent of UK businesses now provide their workers with the option of some form of flexible practice.

Nearly three quarters (72 per cent) offer people part-time work and 69 per cent allow workers variable working hours. Over a third (38 per cent) let their staff work from home.

Employers think that these measures have helped their business run more efficiently, with 58 per cent saying that flexible practices have had a significant impact on productivity.

"Business is well ahead of the current debate," said Sally Low, director of policy and external affairs at the BCC.

"The overwhelming majority of respondents to our survey are embracing flexibility because they understand clearly the benefits of providing flexible working to their employees, reporting improvements in employee relations, staff retention and productivity."

Ms Low added that the further regulation was not needed to improve the situation. Instead, the government should work towards identifying and removing "real barriers to greater flexibility".

Recently, a separate report suggested that faster broadband connections allowed SME bosses to achieve a better work-life balance.

 

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