Flexible working is due to become the norm, according to research by Ashridge Management College.

250 senior managers were questioned, these are some of the responses:
– 44% agreed with the statement: “in the 21st century there should be no barriers to people working when and where they like”
– Half said that the traditional 9-5 five-day week would be obselete in five years
– 62% agreed that the best and brightest will ask for more flexibility from employers
– 75%said that flexible working options will be essential for holding onto good staff

The respondents also gave some insights into their personal problems with balancing responsibilities:
– Three quarters said that work-life balance could be improved
– Almost half had turned down a job or not applied because of lack of flexibility
– Four in ten would accept less money for more flexibility
– Two out of three would like to work from home more

One in three respondents is working over 50 hours a week, 8% work over 60 hours. While most organisations involved offer some flexible, home-working and part-time arrangements, only one in ten respondents work part-time, and even fewer use job-shares, career-breaks or term-time patterns. All those who do work part-time are women. When asked for their ideal working arrangements, most chose flexibility in defining their work and how they do it.

Three principal barriers to flexible working were identified:
– It’s not seen as a priority
– Others can regard it as not working
– Managing flexible workers takes more time and effort

36% said that, although flexible working was theoretically an option in their organisations, little support was provided for implementing it.

The full survey is available from Ashridge Management COllege.

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