Two-thirds of FTSE-100 companies keep favour with workers by offering flexible working arrangements.
A survey of working practices among the FTSE 100 by ntl:Telewest Business, revealed more than two-thirds (69%) had already taken steps to accommodate the needs of parents, carers and part-time workers ahead of the government introducing extended flexible working rights in April this year.
The research also revealed employers such as Marks & Spencer, Tesco, BP and Thomas Cook, offer extensive flexible working packages above and beyond legislative requirements.
While pharmaceutical, mining and hospitality organisations were generally less well disposed to flexible working for operational reasons, individual companies within these sectors found some innovative ways to give employees more choice and control over their working lives. Mining company Xstrata, for example, offers female staff the chance to juggle shifts with childcare.
Andrew McGrath, commercial director for ntl:Telewest Business, said: “We all have to work a bit harder during a recession, but giving employees the technology they need to work flexibly or from home can be very liberating and can directly increase productivity. It is not difficult or costly to implement. In fact, in a time of inexpensive broadband, laptops and mobile phones, flexible working can be a quick and cost-effective way for companies to show how much they appreciate and trust their workforce.”