Flexible working is now offered in 95% of UK businesses and is helping to retain staff, according to research from the new Work-Life Balance Employer Survey.
The survey, commissioned by the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR) also found that childcare was catered for in 18% of businesses, more than double the figure from 2003.
Minister for employment relations, Pat McFadden, believes the survey shows the government's staged approach to introducing flexible working has been a success.
“The way we work is changing and in many cases, it is changing to fit in with people’s lives. More people want to balance work with family and lifestyle and more employers are increasingly recognising that flexibility helps retain good staff.”
The survey also highlighted the change in men’s reactions to flexible working. In the last two years 43% of male employees have requested to change their work patterns. Part-time and flexi-time options are more available, with 92% of workplaces offering part-time working hours and 55% offering flexi-time.
Mike Emmott, employee relations adviser at the CIPD believes that flexible working is on the rise because employers are looking for new ways to attract the best people for the job, and keep them engaged and motivated while working.
He added: “Our research into employee engagement shows flexible workers are happier workers, and happier workers are more motivated to achieve results for their employers.”
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