Public Servant Lifestyle

Anyone for flexi-working? From homeworking to flexi-time, more and more workers are looking for options outside the 9-5.

Some 75% of British workers feel that tailoring their hours to their lifestyles would make them more productive. But, whilst staff feel flexi-working would increase their output, bosses remain sceptical.

UK employers still aren't convinced of the merits of a flexible workforce, according to independent research, commissioned by workplace development experts, Investors in People UK. Just 59% of employers polled acknowledge the link between flexible working, and staff productivity.

According to Peter Meier, human Resources director at TV company Channel 4 (officially an NDPB - Non-Democratic Public Body) new flexi-working initiatives within the organisation have proved extremely successful.

Changing Workforce

"At Channel Four, we have always recognised that the world of the workforce is constantly changing. More and more people are putting their families first and flexible working initiatives provides us with more viable options.

"In order to recruit, retain and develop the right people, and make best use of their skills, we have to discuss their working conditions and environment more openly than ever before, to see if we can meet their preferences, as well as achieve our business demands. With flexible working initiatives that we have tried out, they have worked extremely well. Undoubtedly, this in turn helps us, as a business, move forward."

Ruth Spellman, chief executive of Investors in People UK, commented: "No-one's home and family circumstances are quite the same. Our findings highlight the ongoing need for employers to recognise this fact, and to offer flexible and part-time working opportunities.

Investors in People

She speaks of the challenge to "establish a positive balance between work and home. This research clearly makes the connection between flexible working and improved performance. By enabling staff to tailor their working lives to suit their other responsibilities, employers could improve their bottom line by raising productivity.

"Improved communication right across the organisation, " says Ruth, can help organisations to "identify new ways of working, allowing their people to work flexibly, and more effectively. This will help to reduce the conflict between the demands of home life and working life. The result: a happier, more productive workforce."

More information available in Home Working