WHEN NINE TO FIVE JUST ISN’T RIGHT

This Mothering Sunday, working mums across Britain will be grateful for the chance to put their feet up and relax, especially those who juggle busy work with an even busier family. For many hard pressed executives Sunday is a chance to consider their work life balance. How can they balance career with family? Should family life take second place to that top job? The answer in 2010 is no, as companies relax policies and open-up to more flexible working packages.


Flexible work involves relaxing policies on the location (working from home or on the move) and time (part-time, job share and flexitime schemes) elements of a role. This style of working has been essential for many mothers as it is important that their job has a certain level of flexibility to allow for children’s emergencies, attending important events and school holidays. But flexibility is used for many reasons, by both men and women, to allow for a variety of work related and personal reasons including; having uninterrupted time to complete tasks, to avoid long or uncomfortable commuting, to care for children or family, to pursue training or further education or to take part in sports or community activities.


With the economic climate in such dire straits, flexibility has shifted to suit the employer as well as the employee. During the recession we have seen many companies offering reduced working days/hours and sabbaticals in order to cut costs and retain skilled staff – rather than having to employ and train new workers when the economy recovers.


So what are the advantages of flexible working? A guide by the Equality and Human Rights Commission reveals that - if managed properly – flexible working arrangements can cut costs through higher staff retention, reduced absenteeism and overtime, boost productivity, motivate people, increase employee satisfaction and release more potential in staff.


Derek Pilcher from TheLadders.co.uk says ‘While creating a flexible workplace can be an effective way to build a stronger and loyal workplace, it is essential that there is a level of trust between managers and staff. Also it’s important that any policy is tailored to that company to be successful.’