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14/07/2005
British workers enjoy more flexible working options
The options available to British employees for flexible working have almost doubled within the past six years, according to a new survey.
The latest Workplace Employment Relations Survey found that the proportion of employers offering term-time-only working has doubled from 14% to 28% since 1998. Options for employees to work from home also rose from 16% to 28% within the same time period.
The number of workplaces offering parental leave also rose from 38% to 73% since 1998, according to the survey, and flexi-time and job-sharing options also increased.
The survey also found that half of employees were employed in workplaces with a recognised trade union, but that employees were less likely to be trade union members than they were in 1998.
Employment minister Gerry Sutcliffe said: “The picture emerging is one where people have more choice and control over their working lives. Government policy has led to significant changes in the way people work in Britain, particularly the availability of flexible working arrangements.”
However, Brendan Barber, General Secretary of the Trades Union Congress (TUC) described work-life balance for British employees as “glacial”. Mr Barber said: “Two-thirds of managers in the survey still take the view that their staff’s work-life balance is nothing to do with them. There is an increase of just 3% in the proportion of staff who think their manager understands their work-life balance needs.”
Around 3,200 managers and almost 1,000 employee representatives were interviewed for the survey. More than 20,000 employees also completed questionnaires.
(KMcA/GB)
The latest Workplace Employment Relations Survey found that the proportion of employers offering term-time-only working has doubled from 14% to 28% since 1998. Options for employees to work from home also rose from 16% to 28% within the same time period.
The number of workplaces offering parental leave also rose from 38% to 73% since 1998, according to the survey, and flexi-time and job-sharing options also increased.
The survey also found that half of employees were employed in workplaces with a recognised trade union, but that employees were less likely to be trade union members than they were in 1998.
Employment minister Gerry Sutcliffe said: “The picture emerging is one where people have more choice and control over their working lives. Government policy has led to significant changes in the way people work in Britain, particularly the availability of flexible working arrangements.”
However, Brendan Barber, General Secretary of the Trades Union Congress (TUC) described work-life balance for British employees as “glacial”. Mr Barber said: “Two-thirds of managers in the survey still take the view that their staff’s work-life balance is nothing to do with them. There is an increase of just 3% in the proportion of staff who think their manager understands their work-life balance needs.”
Around 3,200 managers and almost 1,000 employee representatives were interviewed for the survey. More than 20,000 employees also completed questionnaires.
(KMcA/GB)
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A very mild, but mostly cloudy day, although with some bright or sunny spells. It will be mostly dry in the morning, but a little patchy light rain or drizzle at times in the afternoon. Maximum temperature 14 °C.Tonight:A band of heavier rain will move east during the evening before clearing eastwards after midnight. then mostly dry through the early hours, but a little rain towards dawn. Minimum temperature 8 °C.
