Some of the UK’s largest employers have recently backed a report that advocates the benefits of flexible working. Reducing absenteeism, making more efficient use of office space (and helping reduce travel costs and carbon emissions) are some of the benefits businesses can reap from this working arrangement.

Companies will also benefit from being able to recruit talent with better qualifications, experience and contacts when they utilise flexible working.

The Advanced Workplace Associates (http://bit.ly/qsCKxb) foresees 10% of the future workforce working from home, or at least having a flexible working arrangement. Of course it’s not a ‘one size fits all’, many roles require full time employees, this applies conversely, a lot of roles do not require people at their desks 9 -5, Monday to Friday.

In what situations would flexible working benefit your company and its employees?

Recent research has again shown the younger generation are looking for a more flexible working arrangement. Indeed there is consensus that flexible working would in fact help stimulate economic growth.

The Recruitment and Employment Confederation have said “employers are going to have to think about how they engage people, how they employ them and the different types of contractual relationships they have in place” (http://bit.ly/narIqK).

This approach will require business owners and managers to adopt a different mindset and view their business as worker-led not just business-led. But there is no reason that this approach would not benefit such companies – it is an exciting, more dynamic approach to staffing.

I am very interested to find out different experiences and views, from businesses and employees, how do you think flexible working would affect your company? Would it work? Is it an exciting approach or unfeasible?

As legislation and employee desire is increasing the prominence of flexible working, technology will become a increasingly important facilitator to this – and there is no excuse for businesses not to take advantage of it.

Broadband connectivity, smartphones and cloud computing are all contributing to change the landscape of employment.

Companies are starting to appreciate the changing landscape of the workplace. More and more businesses utilise hot-desking and realise that empowering their talented staff increases their productivity and commitment.

Staff don’t need to be ‘at their desks’ from 9 to 5, Monday to Friday – lets properly move into the 21st Century!

Given the shift from a consumer driven society, people are realising and appreciating the importance on having a work life balance.

The obsession of ‘living to work’ and following acquisition of unnecessary material items made people lose focus on what was important – family, friends, a more rounded and complete life.

Flexible working, where businesses empower their staff to take control of their life is slowly becoming more frequent. The benefits are to be shared by both employer and employee. Company owners and HR departments are starting to realise that the provision of a flexible working policy is both a legal and staff engagement requirement.

Let us hope that this change in mindset gathers pace!