Firms urged to consider flexible working to cut costs
Mon, 07 Sep 2009
Firms struggling to meet all of their financial commitments can attempt to negotiate with employees over their working conditions, it has been suggested.
Robert Janes, chair of judges for The National Business Awards, said businesses can take number of steps to be more flexible and change their working practices in order to avoid redundancies.
He stated: "It's about looking where there are opportunities to reduce the hours in agreement with the staff, possibly a reduction or extensions of holidays.
"Certainly there have been examples of companies extending long holidays - Vauxhall did it at Christmas time and jobs were saved; flexibility that fits in with the work force."
Mr Janes said it was best for firms to present a realistic view of where the company is going, in order to remove certain fears held by staff and raise overall employee morale.
"It is important for businesses to impress a policy of openness," he stated.
According to research conducted by the Confederation of British Industry and recruitment firm Harvey Nash, almost two thirds of employers have made or are considering making significant changes to the way they organise their workforce and working patterns.
Some 45 per cent have increased flexible working among staff to reduce hours and meet employee requests for a work-life balance.
How Microsoft can help
Microsoft software can help you turn your passion into profit. Find out more about our solutions for small business and download a FREE trial of Office 2007 Small Business
More
Home-Working for Small Business News
View all articles
|
|
