Scots survey finds flexibility is the future

The majority of employers in a new survey credit flexible working as being crucial to weathering the current unpredictable economic times.

Two hundred Scottish employers were questioned for the research. Three in four said flexibility was key to seeing them through the pandemic.

The research, by Flexibility Works, found around two thirds of bosses planning to offer more flexible working going forward. Which is just as well as a related employee survey found most expected to ask for more flexibility after the work from home order is lifted. Employees mainly want the option to work from home more in future. Of the 1000 workers surveyed eight in 10 said they were either considering asking for more flexible working or definitely going to put in a request.

The new research is the first Scottish specific survey of employer and employee attitudes to flexible working in light of the pandemic.

New working practices

Flexibility Works is a Scottish government backed social enterprise which aims to help businesses adopt new working practices. The survey findings are being used to kick start a new campaign called #FlexForLife. It’ll encourage and support Scottish businesses to move towards greater flexibility for workers in the long-term.

Nikki Slowey, co-founder and co-director of Flexibility Works, said, “The pandemic forced many of us to work differently and it’s often been incredibly tough, whether you’ve been working, living and sleeping in one room, or juggling work with home school or caring responsibilities. Fortunately, we’ve discovered some unexpected benefits too.”

Andrew Dobbie is chief executive of MadeBrave, a firm working with Flexibility Works. The company is introducing a new “triple flexi” policy. It includes flexibility on working times, on working locations, and around taking leave. He said, “The global health crisis has presented a unique opportunity to re-imagine and redefine the future of our work lives.”

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