SME Business News

Many small businesses welcome Government plans to introduce legislation that requires them to offer flexible working to all its employees, according to new research.

Hays recruitment carried out a survey among 420 employers, which found that 55% small businesses approve of the plans and 70% expect an increase in requests for flexible working and nearly 40% are bracing themselves for a resulting impact on their budgets.

The research highlighted that the main motivation behind offering flexible working is to support workers, with just 18% saying they would offer it simply to comply with legislation. Only 29% feel that offering flexible working is integral to the success of their business.

Charles Logan, Director at Hays, commented: “Employers and their staff see flexible working policies as a positive move but more needs to be done to make sure these are implemented in the workplace. The research shows clear evidence that flexible working can improve productivity and work-balance, if employers can make the types most desired by staff available.”

The survey was also carried out across a span of 680 workers in the UK. 85% said they would be more likely to stay with an employer if they offered flexible working while 95% said such policies help them achieve a good work life balance.

35% of the workers said the main reason they used flexible working is to gain more personal time and to cope with arrangement for children or elderly relatives.