Small companies lead the way with flexible working

According to the recently published Walsh Review, small companies have a better record of accepting requests for flexible working than larger ones.

Led by Sainsbury’s HR director Imelda Walsh, the Review recommends extending the right to request flexible working to parents of children up to age 16. The Government has accepted the recommendation. This means more small businesses are set to benefit from the advantages flexible working brings to the workplace, including increased productivity and recruitment savings.

Around six million employees currently have the right to request flexible working; 3.6 million parents and 2.65 million carers. This will increase to over 10 million [6m plus 4.5m] if the extension goes ahead.

The UK’s small businesses are already performing well in terms of flexible working practices; the British Chambers of Commerce found that 89% of small employers have already provided their employees with some form of flexible working. The arrangements include working from home, part-time work, compressed hours, flexitime or other arrangements agreed with employers.

Alongside the benefits flexible working brings to employees, employers have found promoting work-life balance makes a positive contribution to their business, namely significant improvements in employee relations (71%), staff retention (60%) and productivity (58%).

To help small businesses manage requests to work flexibly, the Government has developed a range of guides, interactive tools and advice available at www.businesslink.gov.uk/flexibleworking.