Government survey shows strong employee preference for flexible working

To highlight new 'family-friendly' employment rights due to come into force in April 2003, the UK government has published survey findings showing that almost half of those questioned valued flexible working hours over other benefits, with nearly one-third choosing flexibility over higher pay.

At the beginning of January 2003, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) published the findings of a survey of nearly 5,000 people looking for new jobs, which showed that they attached considerable importance to being able to work flexible hours and that, for many workers, flexible working was more important than other 'perks' of the job or extra money.

The survey, carried out online by a leading recruitment website in conjunction with the DTI’s 'work-life balance' campaign (UK0102115F), found that:

• almost half of the respondents (46%) chose flexible working as the benefit they would most look for in their next job, compared with 10% preferring a company car and 7% opting for gym membership. Over half the women questioned (51%) preferred flexibility, as did 52% of parents with children under six years of age; and

• one in three respondents (31%) said that they would rather have the opportunity to work flexible hours than receive GBP 1,000 more pay each year. For women and for parents of children under six, this figure was higher, at 37%.

The survey also found that 69% of all those surveyed agreed that work-life balance was an important factor when assessing a potential new job, compared with 77% of parents with young children and 81% of carers. Nevertheless, work-life balance is still an ideal rather than a reality. Seven in 10 respondents said that they would like a better work-life balance and the chance to work more flexibly when necessary. Over 80% said that they had experienced a culture of 'presenteeism' (staying long hours at work unnecessarily).

Commenting on the findings, the trade and industry secretary, Patricia Hewitt, said: 'Getting a better work-life balance is becoming much more important for all employees - men as much as women - and the competitive advantages business gains from offering flexible working are now well established.'

Publication of the survey results is intended to highlight a package of new 'family-friendly' employment rights which will be introduced in April 2003. The Employment Act 2002 (UK0210103F) gives parents of children aged under six (or disabled children up to the age of 18) the right to request flexible working patterns for childcare purposes, and places a duty on employers to give proper consideration to the request. Following a consultation exercise, regulations giving effect to this new right were laid before Parliament in December 2002 and are due to come into operation on 6 April 2003. At the same time, new rights to adoption leave and two weeks’ paid paternity leave will be brought into force, alongside improvements in maternity leave and pay.

The government believes that these new rights will provide parents with greater choice and support in balancing work and childcare, whilst being compatible with business efficiency. In particular, the introduction of flexible working policies is seen as beneficial to companies in terms of recruiting and retaining key employees, and increasing staff commitment and productivity. However, some employers’ groups have voiced concern that the new legislation will give rise to problems in ensuring cover for absent employees, especially in small firms, and that the refusal on business grounds of requests for flexible working could lead to disputes with staff and an increase in employment tribunal claims.