10 December 2019 | Prithvi Pandya
Thirty-two per cent of UK workers are not happy with the flexible working options available to them, according to research by Tiger Recruitment.
The survey of more than 2,000 employees found that only a third have the option of home or remote working - a seven percentage point drop since last year - while only one in five (22 per cent) are offered the option of flexi-time, and even fewer have access to informal flexible working (19 per cent) or the opportunity to go part-time (18 per cent).
The findings also indicate that flexible working isn't being offered fairly across genders, with women more likely to have access to home or remote working (36 per cent versus 17 per cent), informal flexible working (21 per cent versus 13 per cent) and part-time working (20 per cent against 11 per cent) than their male colleagues.
Encouraging flexible working has been on the government agenda for a number of years, with initiatives such as the 2014 Flexible Working Regulations, which gave all employees the right to request flexible working, and more recently, the launch of The Flexible Working Taskforce, which is attempting to increase uptake.
Studies have shown the numerous benefits of offering flexibility to employees, including increased engagement, motivation, productivity and loyalty, as well as improved wellbeing and reduced time off sick. Flexible working options can also aid organisations in attracting talent, with over two thirds of employees (68 per cent) saying that work-life balance, including flexible working, was important in attracting them to their current role.
David Morel, CEO of Tiger Recruitment, said: "Despite numerous initiatives to show the value of flexible working for both employers and employees, it's disappointing that so many workplaces are still struggling to embrace flexibility.
"Flexible working shouldn't be seen as an inconvenience, as a benefit that is only open to women, or just relevant to parents, but as something that can help all employees to boost their wellbeing and job satisfaction. Happy employees are engaged employees, and engagement boosts productivity, so it really is a win-win for all involved."