Embrace flexible working and retain a happy, motivated workforce

Adrian Lewis wrote this article for Real Business Magazine:

Nearly two years on since the Flexible Working Law was passed giving employees the right to request flexible working after 26 weeks’ of employment and more companies are embracing flexible working.

Having good policies around flexible working will help companies attract and retain people

According to a new report "Working anywhere: A winning formula for good work?" by Lancaster University’s Work Foundation and commission by Citrix, the UK is on the verge of a flexible working "tipping point," as working away from the office becomes more common. After interviewing academics, business leaders and the public sector the Work Foundation predicts that by 2017 over half of UK organisations are likely to adopt flexible working and by 2020, that figure will rise to over 70 per cent.

The report argues that flexible working can result in increased productivity, improved employee wellbeing, talent attraction and retention. Indeed a YouGov survey on behalf of Redcentric published last year highlighted that 54 per cent of UK office workers are currently able to work remotely, with 30 per cent stating their productivity increased when they work away from the office.   Read More...

Embracing Flexible Working to Win the War on Talent

Adrian Lewis, Commercial Director for Activ Absence explains how businesses can embrace Flexible working and retain and attract more talent:

The importance of flexible working in terms of helping companies attract and retain employees is growing.

A recent survey from Direct365 showed that flexible working was the top benefit that UK employees wanted in their benefits package; with more than one in three (35 per cent) saying they would like the option to work flexibly.

In a job market, where there is near full employment, offering good flexible policies can help companies of all sizes compete for talent. According to a new report, Britain is on the verge of a flexible working ‘tipping point,’ as more people are shunning the traditional 9-5pm in the office for remote working, according to a new report by Lancaster University’s Work Foundation and commissioned by Citrix... Read More

How to Help Wellness Initiatives Work Better

UK employers may want to improve the health and wellbeing of their employees by introducing wellness initiatives, but these often don’t deliver the hoped-for results.

Workplace health studies repeatedly show massive rates of absence amongst UK workforces.  According to the CIPD Absence Management Survey 2015, UK employees will take an average of 6.9 days off sick per year, but this is significantly higher in public sector organisations.  The irony is that the public sector spends more on wellness initiatives than on any other sector.  Click here to read more...

Would you consider flexible working for women during their Menstrual Cycle?

Bristol-based company Co-Exist have made HR headlines around the globe this week as they plan to introduce a "period policy" which will allow female staff to work flexibly around their menstrual cycles.  The company employs 24 people, seven of them men, and whilst the details of the policy have yet to be disclosed, the Co-Exist plan is to allow women to take time off as needed if they feel unwell during their period and make up the time later.