Flexible working hours to benefit employees and employers.

Flexible working rights for employees have recently been extended to ease the pressure on both workers and businesses.  The extended rules allow parents with children up to the age of 16 to be able to request more flexible working arrangements.  But there are both advantages and disadvantages from such an arrangement!

The introduction of extended flexibility in the workplace is set to be beneficial for employees and businesses alike as parents with children up to the age of 16 will be able to request more flexible working hours.

As a result the performance of the employee experiencing the extended flexible working hours is set to improve, having a knock-on effect on the businesses productivity.

Everyone will benefit!

The general secretary of the Trades Union Congress, Brendan Barber, claims that it is in the interest of every business to  consider all requests from employees with regards to flexible working hours as both parties will benefit.

“Companies whose workers enjoy the benefits of flexible working are likely to feel less stressed and less anxious about balancing their lives at home and work, which means they are more committed and productive,” said Barber.

So what are the benefits of flexible working?

•    The employee’s health will rise.
•    A reduction in stress and absenteeism.
•    A decrease in staff turnover.
•    The ability to retain skills rather than being forced to constantly train new employees.
•    Productivity will be on the rise.

As with everything there are also disadvantages of flexible working for both employees and employers.

•    There is the obvious possibility of having to survive on a lower wage packet.
•    Employees could start to feel alone and isolated as they will be working “different” hours to the rest of the work force.  This will lead to employees feeling estranged from their work colleagues.
•    Due to this estrangement and isolation it can become increasingly difficult to motivate employees on a flexible working plan.  It will also become difficult to plan for these employees.
•    In some cases flexible working can stand in the way of promotion.

Employers still have the right to refuse requests.

Pat McFadden, the employment relations minister who launched the new rules regarding flexible working hours, has stressed that businesses still have the right to refuse any requests for flexible working rules.

However, McFadden highlighted the fact that around 95 per cent of businesses are currently approving requests for flexible working hours.

The introduction of the increased flexibility with working hours for parents comes quickly behind the extension of employee’s rights to annual leave which has been boosted from 24 days to 28 days.

What about you?

Are you thinking about requesting flexible working hours?  Do you think that the extension of flexible working hours will be detrimental to the health of your business or do you welcome the introduction with open arms?  Leave us a comment and let us know…

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