The Equality and Human Rights Commission has launched new flexible working guidance aimed at improving employee productivity, lowering business costs and meeting the needs of modern families.

Working Better: The managers’ guide to flexible working was launched by Commission chair Trevor Phillips at the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce’s Annual General Meeting.

It includes a step by step process for managers of small and large companies to implement effective flexible working practices and features examples from leading companies that have implemented flexible working policies including BT, Sainsbury’s, National Grid and IBM.

The guidance has been developed as a direct response to feedback from businesses engaged in the Commission’s Working Better project – an initiative that has been developing new ways for employers to work to meet the needs of business and modern families.

Commission chair Trevor Phillips said: “Flexibility is a tool many British businesses use to attract and retain quality staff. Flexible working makes good business sense not only in maximising productivity but by providing a powerful tool to respond to customer needs.

“Many companies are using flexibility creatively to respond to recession, enabling them to cut costs while retaining skilled staff. This avoids the expense of hiring and training new staff when the economy recovers."

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