The Confederation of British Industry and the Trades
Union Congress have joined forces to promote flexible working as a
way of helping the UK economy, as well as making it easier for
staff to achieve a healthy work/life balance.
The organisations have signed a flexible working pledge, along
with the British Chambers of Commerce, BT, Transport for London,
the RAC Foundation, the Association for Commuter Transport, Scope,
Technology Means Business and Henley Management College.
The pledge, put together by non-profit organisation
Work Wise
UK, calls for UK companies to adopt smarter and more flexible
working and to significantly increase its use by 2011. Options for
supporters include offering more opportunities for staff to work
from home, and enabling mobile and remote working.
Richard Lambert, director general of the
CBI, said, "Many businesses are reaping
rewards from more flexible and smarter ways of working,
achieving improved productivity and staff retention."
Work Wise UK said productivity gains from flexible working would
help the UK compete with emerging economies such as India and
China.
Firms and unions sign flexible working
agreement
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