UK employers encouraged to offer flexible hours to boost business

Employers must offer flexible working hours to attract the best workers.

Recent data from YouGov has highlighted that around four tenths of those surveyed would feel uncomfortable asking about flexible options.

The survey of 1,300 people showed that both men and women were equally unlikely to broach the subject, even though 37 per cent of respondents had difficulty juggling work and family life.

To maintain health in the workplace, the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) recommends that businesses should adopt new values that promote flexible working.

Flexibility can benefit all parties involved

“Flexibility is not just for parents, but for all staff,” said Katja Hall, the CBI deputy director-general. “It can work for everyone, including businesses. That’s why we’re calling for businesses to encourage flexibility from the job ad onwards, as well as for the government to help families with childcare costs.”

She then added that flexible working was already on offer from many companies, but “the onus should be on businesses to presume in favour.”

CBI makes further recommendations to increase confidence in businesses

As a result of YouGov’s findings, the CBI has called for businesses to boost flexible working by showing they favour flexibility wherever possible, from the job advert stage onwards. They also suggest that businesses should commit to meaningful diversity policies, as well as being more open to job-sharing at the senior level and making the most of diverse shortlists when hiring.

This is part of the CBI’s ongoing campaign ‘The Great Business Debate’, which aims to increase trust in companies.

It will be continued at a special event in collaboration with Mumsnet, where the CBI will urge the government to help families with the cost of childcare.