The latest Work-Life Balance Employer Survey, commissioned by the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform showed that 95 per cent of workplaces offer some form of flexible working for staff.

The survey also found:

  • The amount of workplaces providing childcare facilities has more than doubled since 2003 (up from 8 per cent to 18 per cent)
  • Part time working is available in 92 per cent of workplaces (up from 81 per cent in 2003)
  • Employers offering reduced hours working had increased (74 per cent, up from 40 per cent in 2003)
  • Employers offering compressed hours working had increased (41 per cent up from 19 per cent)
  • The availability of job sharing and flexi hours had increased substantially (59 per cent up from 39 per cent; and 55 per cent up from 39 per cent respectively)
  • 92 per cent of employers said they would consider a request to change working patterns from any employee
  • 7 per cent of employers said they should make a special effort to accommodate the particular difficulties parents of young and disabled children face in balancing work and family life.

As part of its current review of flexible working, the government has promised to discuss the best way to extend the right to request to parents of older children.

To download the executive summary, go to: www.dti.gov.uk/files/file32116.pdf

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