In 1998, when the survey was last conducted, 46% of the more than 3,000 workplaces surveyed had some employees who had switched from full-time to part-time hours. Today that figure is up to almost two-thirds. Even more dramatically, the proportion of workplaces with some staff only working during term-time has doubled from 14% to 28%. Gerry Sutcliffe, the Employment Minister, described the survey as showing how people have more choice and control over their working lives.

In part this is due to recent legislation which enables parents of young children to request flexible working arrangements and the general assumption that most women returning to work from maternity leave will be allowed to work part-time. Not that employers are welcoming this change with open arms. The survey showed that 65% of managers believe it is up to individuals to balance work and family responsibilities. While Sutcliffe described this as a magnificently significant change from 1998's figure of 84%, Sarah Jackson, chief executive of work-life pressure group Working families, did not agree, warning against running around triumphantly when only one-third of employers accept their staff have got a life.

Looking ahead, the Government has announced plans to extend the right to ask for flexible working to carers of older relatives and to parents of older children and to allow maternity leave to be shared between parents.

The bottom line is that employers are expected to be flexible. Those who can, may gain competitive advantage as the UK's falling birth-rate and aging population contribute to a tightening labour market.

For more information or a discussion about managing flexible working in your organisation, please contact Lisa Davies on 01494 451 681 or email lisa@hradvantage.co.uk

July-August 2005