London — Feb. 5
Flexible working can work for small employers, as well as their employees, but it is the business case — not legislative requirements — that will deliver change.
This is the starting point for a joint initiative between the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) and the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) at the request of Mark Prisk, shadow minister for small business and enterprise.
The two organizations have teamed up to research examples of effective flexible working in small firms that are delivering benefits for businesses and their employees.
These examples will be used to produce advice and practical guidance for small firms that want to offer flexible working but are concerned about the consequences for their business.
“Employees increasingly expect to have more control over their working lives,” said Mike Emmott, CIPD employee relations adviser. “Employers who offer flexible working opportunities benefit from an engaged workforce and improved profitability.
“That is why U.K. employers are already offering a variety of flexible working opportunities, in many cases to employees not covered by the statutory right to request flexible working. It is a focus on the business case, not an increased legislative burden, that is the key to improving working lives.”
The research will be published in April.
CIPD, which has more than 127,500 members, is a professional institute for those involved in the management and development of people.
The British Chambers of Commerce is a nonpolitical, nonprofit organization, owned and directed by its members, democratically accountable to individual businesses of all sizes and sectors throughout the United Kingdom.
