That is the suggestion from Brendan Barber, general secretary of the Trades Union Congress (TUC), who has suggested that the benefits of offering flexible working are more apparent during a recession.
Whereas previously flexible working was a tool for motivating staff and improving their work-life balance, it could know be used to cut costs and improve efficiency in the workplace, Mr Barber suggested.
Commenting on the merits of flexible working, Mr Barber said: "Unions and forward-thinking employers see it as a possible solution to coping with the downturn and saving jobs.
 |
Get our essential weekday HR news and updates.
|
"Smarter working improves productivity, and businesses could further reduce costs by encouraging working from home, for example. This approach benefits staff too."
He said that far from being a hindrance to business as some employers believe, flexible working could help employees to be more organised.
A new proposed flexible working scheme at KPMG has been a huge success as close to 80 per cent of the company’s staff has applied to work a reduced, four-day week or take extended unpaid leave.
