Most UK firms offer flexible working

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Most employers offer some sort of flexible working, according to a survey by the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR).

The Work-Life Balance Employer Survey showed some 95 per cent of UK firms offered flexible working of some sort, whether it is working from home, flexible hours or job sharing.

A report earlier this week showed that more and more households in the UK and the rest of Europe have access to broadband - a key part of the ability for many to work flexibly.

Employment Minister Pat McFadden said the survey showed the government's plans legislate the right to request flexible working for more people was the right move. "We have developed a staged approach for employees to request flexible working which is proving effective - from giving the right to request flexible working to parents with children under six on to carers of disabled children under 18 and adults."

"As part of our new review of flexible working, we'll now be discussing the best way to extend the right to request to parents of older children - so that businesses, parents, carers and families can all benefit."

Indeed, the majority of employers in the study, some 92 per cent, said they would consider a flexible working request from any employee.

The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) called on the government to extend the right to request flexible working to all employees, regardless of whether they have children - a move another government minister has suggested previously.

"We wholly support moves to extend the 'right to request' to more parents. But the government should be bolder still and extend the right to all workers," said Mike Emmott, CIPD's employee relations adviser.

"An extension of the right to request to all workers would level the playing field, without compelling employers to offer flexible working where this is incompatible with business needs," he added. "Our research shows that it would also deliver improved employee engagement, and therefore contribute to boosting productivity."

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