Flexible working for all gone AWOL

The Government's plans to extend the right to request working flexibly to all appear to have gone AWOL, according to Croner, part of Wolters Kluwer.

Much was made in the Queen's Speech of the intention to increase the flexibility of parental leave, says Croner. However there was no mention of the other measures outlined in the Government's 2011 'Modern Workplaces' consultation document, of which this was a part.

Recent research of over 1,200 working adults with colleagues by YouGov for Croner reveals that less than half surveyed (47%) feel they work for organisations that offer flexible working opportunities to the entire workforce.

Perhaps more worrying among the survey respondents is the impression that 23% of employers that do not offer flexible working at all despite the fact that a proportion of the workforce is entitled to by law - current legislation permits parents of children aged 16 or under (18 for those with disabled children) and employees with care responsibilities to make flexible working requests.

Louise Barnes, Senior Employment Consultant at Croner said:

"The findings of the Croner survey show that many British bosses are not only unaware of their legal obligations, but they are failing to understand the benefits that flexible working can bring from an employee engagement perspective. There are many different options available to employers from part-time working to staggered hours, which could not only meet the needs of the workforce, but actually help businesses in the current economic climate."

When asked which one, if any, would be their first choice for flexible working, 19% in the Croner survey opted for condensed hours and 18% chose working from home. The rest preferred part-time working (12%), time off in lieu (12%) and staggered hours (6%). Interestingly 11% of workers said that they wouldn't like any flexible working, an answer most prevalent in the 45 to 54 and 55-plus age groups.