Two-thirds of businesses believe that flexible working practices improve productivity and efficiency, new research suggests.
A national survey, conducted by the Institute of Chartered Accountants, found that businesses are waking up to the advantages of flexible hours and home-working.
The report also found that small firms are in prime position to reap the benefits of new technologies that enable a less rigid approach to working.
All but two-fifths of businesses already have a flexible working policy in place, and three quarters of micro businesses reported that such practices were beneficial to business.
Neil Laidler, business customer development director at Orange, said: “We have recently heard that employees are working longer hours in the UK – yet this recent research shows that employers are adopting flexible working practice to improve efficiency and productivity – this a welcome move.”
Increased flexibility of working practices can partly be attributed to the development of mobile technology, such as laptops and blackberries, which means that employees no longer have to be tied to the office.
Orange reports that responding to employees needs by introducing less rigid working practices is highly beneficial, especially for small firms, as it means that employers are more likely to retain staff and reduces recruitment costs.
At a recent event hosted by the Orange Future Enterprise Coalition, several small business owners reported that the ability to choose their locations and hours of work, and access their e-mails offsite, improved rather than compromised their work-life balance and enabled them to go on holidays.
© Crimson Business Ltd. 2006
