Following previous studies which suggested the new flexible working legislation could prove a burden on companies, the DTI has issued the results of its own survey which they claim reveal the new flexible working laws are unlikely to prove a problem for organisations.
The DTI Work-Life Balance 2003 survey, which is published in its interim form, looks at 1,200 workplaces and found, as with other studies, that many employers had already introduced work-life balance arrangements, with, for example, over a quarter (26%) of all employees in the companies surveyed working flexitime.
Nine out of ten respondents to the DTI’s survey said there were no or minimal costs involved in implementing their work-life balance practices. The survey also found that three quarters (77%) of employees who requested a change to their working patterns have had their request agreed to. However, respondents also stated that requests for flexible working had to be considered by employers against the needs of the business as a whole, with two thirds of those employers surveyed (66%) said that business considerations should come first.
Trade and Industry Secretary Patricia Hewitt said the government had chosen to go down the legislation route in order to speed up the processes needed to establish effective work-life balance in the UK: “Thousands of businesses around the country already recognise that work-life balance policies can improve their business and help their staff. It could take 20 years for best practice to spread on its own. That’s far too long to wait – for parents and for business. Our new legislation is moving with the tide of business and employee opinion and will ensure awareness and take up of flexible working spreads across the UK workforce. The new laws will deliver a better deal for working parents and help improve UK productivity.”
What’s your view on the new legislation so far? Has it been tricky to accomodate, or does it fit with your existing company policy? Add your views to HR Zone member Sarah Day’s question here
