31st March 2010
All the latest stories from the world of work
20 per cent of firms have avoided
redundancies by introducing flexible working a new survey published this month
shows.
The survey, by IRS, also indicates that the
worst is not over as a further quarter of firms have, or are planning to
introduce flexible working as a way of cutting costs.
The range of flexible working practices
implemented by employers includes part-time hours, home working, sabbaticals
and job sharing.
All but one respondent agreed that there
were benefits to flexible working; 73 per cent cited improved retention, 65 per
cent flexibility of cover and 63 per cent increased employee engagement.
Flexible working as a way of avoiding job
losses is more prevalent in the private sector, according to the survey.
However, as public sector budgets come under pressure in the coming year, this
may well change.
Following the recession, employees now
think job security is more important than higher pay according to the 2010
Towers Watson Global Workforce Survey. 81 per cent of employees in the private
sector think that job security is now of vital importance, ahead of skills development
at 59 per cent and higher pay at 56 per cent.
The survey of 20,000 private sector
employees in 22 countries shows that far from moving towards a workforce of
‘free agents’ employees are aspiring to long service with one direct employer,
reverting to a more traditional employment offer. 8 out of 10 employees want a
traditional employment relationship rather than contract work.
While the recession is likely to have
focused attention on employment security, other findings in the survey show
longer term trends. The shift towards individualisation means employees
understand they are now solely or chiefly responsible for their long-term
financial and physical health and wellbeing, their career and performance, but
lack confidence in their ability to take on these roles.
In terms of their expectations in the
workplace, employees rated the trustworthiness of their senior leaders as the
most important attribute, perhaps unsurprisingly during a period of
instability. Yet expectations are often failing to meet reality as the
confidence in leaders and managers is low, particularly in the interpersonal
aspects of their role – those which employees value most.
The
survey also showed some generational differences, with under 25s particularly
valuing career development, flexible working, and work life balance.
PCS and partner companies including
Accenture, Capgemini and Siemans agreed to work together to improve employee
engagement, business performance and create sustainable jobs in the public
services.
The Concordat, signed on 23rd
March, recognised the shared objectives of the union and employers in achieving
good employment practice, better procurement, environmental sustainability,
higher skills and skills utilisation, corporate social responsibility and
raising the positive profile of the ICT sector in public services.
Tessa Jowell, Minister for the Cabinet
Office, acknowledged the significance of the Concordat in a letter to mark the
launch. She said:
“The IT Industry will continue to play a
vital role in helping the UK
to be a world leader in the provision of modern, responsive and efficient
public services. The Government welcomes the opportunity the Concordat creates
to enhance joint discussion between the companies and PCS via a national
dialogue and a proactive programme of action on the major issues and challenges
you face.”
