There is a strong case for businesses to provide flexible working for their employees, the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) has claimed.
Ben Willmott, senior public policy advisor the group, said this was in terms of both recruitment and retention.
"We also know that employees who are more satisfied with their work/life balance are more likely to be satisfied with their job and are more likely to be effectively engaged and go the extra mile for their employer," he added.
Mr Willmott went on to reveal that the CIPD stresses the importance of meeting business needs, while also providing flexibility and that it was important to get the balance right.
He concluded that as the country moves out of recession, he was hopeful the greater use of flexible working will lead to more companies embracing it.
It was recently revealed that as part of a new Family Friendly Taskforce, the Department of Work and Pensions will be promoting flexible working across the public sector.
This will mean there will be a presumption that all positions should be advertised as available for flexible or part-time working, unless there is a firm business case not to do so.
Posted by Cameron Thomson