EOC research on flexible working

FLEXIBLE WORKING

EOC research on flexible working

Trailblazing employers are using new ways of working to generate profit, benefit staff and respond to customer needs. But old-fashioned thinking means the majority of Britain’s workforce IS missing out, says a major new report from the Equal Opportunities Commission.

Despite the growth in flexible working, the UK is lagging behind its European competitors. Only 20% of UK employers offer teleworking, one of the most popular and cost-effective forms of flexible working, compared with around 40% in Germany, Sweden and Denmark. And while flexitime is available in around 90% of German and Swedish companies, just 48% of UK companies offer it.

Research project

Over the last two years the EOC has been running an investigation looking into the way we work which, it says, is based on a model created for 1950s Britain. Some 50 years later, evidence shows that this model is outdated, particularly as more and more people are looking to adopt the work-life balance lifestyle.

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The EOC’s Transformation of Work investigation found that whilst flexibility is on the increase, it's not happening fast enough to deliver what people, business or the economy needs. The EOC says: “We want to see the current flexible arrangements which is based about personal need and negotiation to shift to a new multi-dimensional flexibility for all, with the flexing of time, location and individual's lifetime changes.”

From Canary Wharf to the factory floor, the EOC’s investigation into transforming work has uncovered innovative new ways of working. According to the EOC, the final report “proves that everyone can benefit from a modern, new approach to flexible work”.

But for the majority of people, the reality of work is still fixed hours at a set place of work, which no longer fits the way they lead their lives. Opportunities for flexible working are restricted to relatively few people. And for many parents and carers, access to flexible working can come with poor pay and career prospects.

New models

Working with employers who have already put innovative working into practice, the EOC has created "new models that work for all of the UK's 29 million workers". No matter what the nature of your job or the nature of your business, there is a model of flexibility that’s right for everyone, says the EOC:

• Timelords - can largely control their hours and location of work, for example writers and researchers (the EOC estimates there could be up to four million “timelords” across the UK).
• Shift-shapers - have set hours and a fixed location, but can flex shift patterns, for example shop workers and nurses (17 million shift-shapers).
• Time-stretchers - have a set place of work, but can control the hours they work, for example travel agents and decorators (seven million time-stretchers).
• Remote-controllers - have set hours but can control where they work, for example call centre staff (up to one million remote controllers).

The report, entitled "Enter the Timelords", describes each of these in details and provides real-life examples where change has really benefited both the employer and employee.

Government action

The EOC wants to see decisive action from government to make innovative flexible working practices a reality for everybody, including:

• extending the right to request flexible working to all workers
• tax incentives for small and medium-sized businesses to open up new ways of working
• transport and housing policies to create more “work-enabled” homes and better off-peak travel, with childcare services to support flexible working across hours
• a cross-government taskforce to champion new models of flexible working.

A final word

"Our report lays down the social and economic imperative for a new culture of flexibility at work. But flexible working is still too often seen as just a concession for parents and carers, and comes at the cost of poor pay and prospects. Extending the right to request flexible working to everyone is a crucial step towards breaking this stigma and making a new culture at work a reality.

But flexibility is not only an issue for employers. Our transport system, technology - even planning and housing policy - all have an impact on whether or not people can access flexibility at work. So this issue will need to remain high on the new Prime Minister's agenda in the months to come." - Jenny Watson, chair of the EOC.

Want to know more?

The EOC has produced some great resources to assist employers in identifying ways of changing their current working models.

A special pack containing practical tips on how to transform your workplace, myth-busting facts and case studies is available free of charge.

You can download the range of materials from the Transformation of Work section of the EOC web site at www.eoc.org.uk/Default.aspx?page=20363

For a copy of the report Enter the Timelords, case studies of innovative employers or further information on the EOC’s investigation into transforming the workplace contact Rob Holdsworth on tel: 020 7960 7439 or email: Robert.holdsworth@eoc.org.uk.

As well as these resources, the EOC has also released various research documents to coincide with the investigation. These include:

• A study based on a survey of 915 employers investigating transformations in working practices from the perspective of employers.
• A report investigating the difference that including a gender (in)equality analysis makes to the broad picture of the future of work.
• A commissioned statistical analysis of the impact on women and men of employment breaks for parenting and caring.

You can download these reports from the Research section of the Transformation of Work pages at www.eoc.org.uk/Default.aspx?page=20027