HRreview Header

Employers will get ‘commitment’ for offering ‘family friendly policies’

-

Companies wanting to improve their staff retention and engender loyalty in their employees should consider offering "family friendly" policies.

That is according to The Institute of Employment Rights (IER), which has suggested that businesses have a lot to gain by encouraging existing staff to stay in their jobs.

Commenting on the issue, Carolyn Jones, director of the Institute of Employment Rights, said that businesses under pressure will often look to cut budgets by targeting "vulnerable workers", which she said in the current labour market "is women".

She explained that this approach was "miscalculated" because "if you offer family friendly policies to staff you will get loyalty, commitment and sustainability as employees will stay".

Recruitment scoring website, HireScores.com recently revealed that, if they could, some 81 per cent of managers in Britain would ask female job applicants if they were pregnant, were planning to have children or if they had children.

However, as employment laws prevent them from asking such questions close to 50 per cent of those questioned said they would take into account a woman’s age and relationship status to establish the likelyhood of her becoming pregnant in the future.

Latest news

Turning Workforce Data into Real Insight: A practical session for HR leaders

HR teams are being asked to deliver greater impact with fewer resources. This practical session is designed to help you move beyond instinct and start using workforce data to make faster, smarter decisions that drive real business results.

Bethany Cann of Specsavers

A working day balancing early talent strategy, university partnerships and family life at the international opticians retailer.

Workplace silence leaving staff afraid to raise mistakes

Almost half of UK workers feel unable to raise concerns or mistakes at work, with new research warning that workplace silence is damaging productivity.

Managers’ biggest fears? ‘Confrontation and redundancies’

Survey of UK managers reveals fear of confrontation and redundancies, with many lacking training to handle difficult workplace situations.
- Advertisement -

Mike Bond: Redefining talent – and prioritising the creative mindset

Not too long ago, the most prized CVs boasted MBAs, consulting pedigrees and an impressive record of traditional experience. Now, things are different.

UK loses ground in global remote work rankings

Connectivity gaps across the UK risk weakening the country’s appeal to remote workers and internationally mobile talent.

Must read

Janine Leightley: Recognising the power of workplace mentorship for women

Despite strides towards equality, women still face challenges throughout their careers. This is why mentorship for women is so important.

Darren Maw: How the Labour leadership contest will change HR

Two months ago, a huge political event caused debate around employment laws and the EU’s influence on them. In the politically tumultuous weeks that followed the referendum, a new campaign has cast worker’s rights back into the spotlight. The Labour leadership contest between Jeremy Corbyn and Owen Smith is a battle for the support of the left-wing and trade unions, with much of the campaigning focused on bolstering employee and trade union rights.
- Advertisement -

You might also likeRELATED
Recommended to you