Conflicts between the need for parents to work and the need for families to spend time together are all too common. As a result, legislation brought in a year ago gives employees the right to request flexible working hours.
In a recent survey of 500 potential employees conducted by Petersfield-based recruitment consultants Flexijobs in the first half of 2004, 92 per cent said they wanted more flexibility at work.
Flexijobs boss Chloe Pyatt said: ëThere is huge potential for companies to attract high calibre candidates by offering them more flexible working conditions.í
But the accepted view among businesses is that flexible working is a disaster for small businesses. And government figures show only 30 per cent of companies use flexible working as a recruitment tool.
Mrs Pyatt set up Flexijobs, at www.flexijobs.co.uk, a year ago to introduce employees who want flexible working and businesses that need their skills.
Kate Forman Designs is an interior design company run by working mum Kate Forman. She has recently taken on a part-time assistant, through Flexijobs, to work afternoons.
Mrs Forman, 41, said: ëMy assistant is taking a course in the mornings so I was able to offer her the hours she wanted, which I think attracted her to the job. And Iím able to take time off when Iím busiest with my children, so it works very well for both of us.í
Flexijobs is a member of the charity Working Families which, through its website www.workingfamilies.org.uk, keeps employers abreast of the new employment rights and offers training on dealing with requests.
Flexible working rights can be a recruitment booster rather than a burden for small businesses.
Conflicts between the need for parents to work and the need for families to spend time together are all too common. As a result, legislation brought in a year ago gives employees the right to request flexible working hours.
