According to research, flexible working is beneficial to the physical and mental health of employees. Apparently, those who can decide on their working hours may even have healthier blood pressure and heart rates. The findings, which are available on the BBC website, come after a think tank, the New Economics Foundation (“NEF”), recently recommended a 21-hour week for all employees.
The NEF claims that a 21-hour week would help address the UK’s high levels of overwork, unemployment and a shortage of time “to live sustainably, to care for each other, and simply to enjoy life”. Is this a little too idealistic or can you see the advantages of a shorter week?
You may also be interested to learn what types of flexible working other employers offer. XpertHR will shortly be publishing the IRS annual survey on flexible working which will focus on the related costs. The survey is due to be published on 22nd March 2010. In the meantime, XpertHR subscribers can access the IRS benchmarking survey on flexible/home working for 2009 and the IRS annual survey on maternity provision and return to work (including flexible working).
Also
Some of the questions we have answered for employers on flexible working, which are available in the XpertHR FAQ section, are:
- Which employees are eligible for the statutory right to request flexible working?
- In what circumstances can an employer reject a request for flexible working?
- Where an employee who is about to go on maternity leave requests that she return on reduced hours, is the employer under any obligation to consider her request at that point?
- Can employer withdraw from a flexible working agreement if the arrangements are no longer in its interests?
| Tweet |
|
| Permalink | Email this |
