WORK-LIFE BALANCE
Few employers have procedures to deal with flexible working requests
A majority of UK employers will have their work cut out to ensure they are prepared for the new duty to consider requests for flexible working. Only two-fifths of employers surveyed by IRS have procedures to consider employee's requests for changed working patterns.
"But the lack of process in many cases does not reflect a lack of flexible working options among our survey sample," says IRS. Of the 118 organisations polled, most offer at least one variation on the nine-to-five to help employees to better balance home and work life. More than two-fifths have specific policies on flexible working, with almost as many publishing guidance on family-friendly employment.
Flexible working
By far the most widely available flexibility is part-time work. Job share, time off in lieu and flexitime were also popular. "Take-up is healthy too, suggesting that employees are keen to take advantage of non-standard work options," says IRS.
Want to know more?
Title: "Hanging in the balance", IRS Employment Trends 766, 30 December 2002.
Methodology: The IRS work-life balance survey is based on information received from 118 public and private sector organisations, employing 351,281 people.
Availability: Contact the subscriptions department at Industrial Relations Services in London, tel: 020 7354 5858 or visit www.irsemploymentreview.com
Posted 24 January 2003