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It's not just working parents who want
work-life balance - Hodge
Early findings from a new Department for
Education and Employment (DfEE) survey of 7,500 employees
were announced today by Margaret Hodge, Minister for Employment
and Equal Opportunities. This survey is part of a comprehensive
study on work-life balance which also covers 2,500 workplaces
and 250 headquarters. It reveals that everyone, not just parents
want to get a life. Employees regardless of whether or not
they have children, want flexible working practices so they
can better balance the demands of work and home life.
There is also new guidance published today
from the DfEE and the Women's Unit to help employers improve
the working lives of all their staff.
Among the findings for employees with
no caring responsibilities:
- 19% would like to be able to work part-time, the same
number for those with caring responsibilities;
- 21% would like to work annualised hours (having to a work
a certain amount of hours each year but being able to vary
the week worked throughout the year), the same number for
people with caring responsibilities;
- 12% would like the option of a job-share. This is 19%
for people with caring responsibilities;
- 34% would like flexitime, compared with 37% for people
with caring responsibilities;
- 34% would like to work compressed hours (for example allowing
an employee to do a full-time job in four days a week instead
of five). This figure is 37% for those with caring responsibilities;
- 26% would like to be able to work from home, only one
percent less than the figure for those with caring responsibilities.
There is also a huge potential demand
for more flexible working practices in both the private and
public sectors. For example:
- almost a quarter
(24%) of all employees currently work flexitime although
35% employees want to
- 17% of employees
say that flexitime is compatible with the work they do but
do not think their employer would allow them to work flexitime
- only 6% of employees
currently work a compressed working hours week but 33% would
like to
- 14% of employees
say that working compressed hours is compatible with the
work they do but do not think they would be allowed by their
employer to work this way.
The good-practice guide for employers
published today, Creating a Work-Life Balance, offers advice
to employers on how to set up policies and working practices
which enable their employees to achieve a better work-life
balance. It features nine detailed case studies from a range
of organisations of various sizes, all of which have enjoyed
significant business benefits from introducing flexible working
practices in their organisation.
Margaret Hodge said:
" A better balance between work
and life is an issue for everyone, not just those with caring
responsibilities. Simple changes can make all the difference
to all employees trying to balance their personal and working
lives more successfully."
"There are business benefits too.
Money is saved through reduced sickness absence, stress, recruitment
and training costs and productivity is raised through better
morale. Our case studies show this very clearly."
"Work-life balance is not just the
latest catchphrase, and not just for parents. More and more
organisations in all sectors are developing these policies
for all their staff because it makes good business sense.
It's a win win situation for all concerned and we would like
more organisations to take up this issue in their workplace."
Margaret Jay, Minister for Women,
said:
"A flexible working environment
is key to helping parents balance their work and home lives.
But flexibility doesn't only benefit the employees - it's
also in the interest of the employer."
"Good, successful companies know
that if they offer flexible working practices they will get
a more loyal and motivated workforce. They will be able to
recruit and retain the best staff, reduce absenteeism, increase
their productivity and gain a competitive edge."
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