It's my job to
promote flexible working because it's a win-win solution for
employers and their people.
It's not just
about making people happier and less stressed - though they are of
course worthy benefits. But the business case for flexible working
is also well established.
Increased motivation and productivity as well as
reductions in sickness absence and staff turnover are repeatedly
found in studies, proving that organisations benefit just as much
as their employees from flexibility.
If I still
haven't convinced you, you should know our work is funded and
supported by the Scottish Government and we work with a huge range
of Scottish employers including financial giants Lloyds, Barclays
and Deloitte. In fact, we've honoured them all with awards for
their enviable practices giving employees more control over when
and where they work.
If you are now
convinced but curious about what to do next, look out for our
annual campaign National Work Life Week, which takes place from
October 7 to 11. It provides the opportunity for employers and
employees to talk about wellbeing at work and work
life fit. We often find that employees know colleagues
work flexibly but don't realise they could too. Employers are not
mind-readers, so if you'd like more flexibility at work, National
Work Life Week could help you start a conversation.
If you're an
employer, you could showcase stories about members of
staff who work flexibly via your intranet, staff newsletter or at a
lunchtime event. It's a very simple but effective way to help
normalise flexible working.
We've also just
launched a new support service to help Scottish businesses harness
the power of flexible working. Our new range of training and
support options for managers and HR professionals helps them sell
the benefits of flexible working to senior leaders and embed a
genuine culture change within their organisation.
The new service
has been established directly in response to demand from employers
for practical support to help them get flexible working 'right' and
ensure employees and the business benefit.
Flexible working
is not a new concept. But attitudes are changing when it comes to
who works flexibly. With multi-generational workforces, increasing
numbers of working parents and those caring for elderly relatives
as well as rising mental health and wellbeing issues, employers are
increasingly turning to flexible working to help them face the
challenges of a modern responsible businesses.
But knowing
exactly how to implement and normalise flexible working can still
be challenging. Our new support service offers practical solutions
along with examples and advice from a range of organisations that
have managed to successfully change the way they work and are
thriving as a result.
We're offering
workshops as well as tailored support packages for
employers.
Visit
familyfriendlyworkingscotland.org.uk/events
for more
information.
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