Employers beat recession with flexible working
Almost two thirds of firms have made or are considering big changes to the way they organise their workforce because of the recession, says a report.
The survey of 700 firms, by the CBI and recruitment firm Harvey Nash, found more firms were now using flexible working as the recession deepens. Many had frozen recruitment and pay and a quarter were planning to transfer work overseas, particularly in the science and technology world because of skills shortages in the UK.
John Cridland, the CBI's deputy director general, said: "This has been a particularly bruising recession, but one of its most positive and striking aspects has been the commitment of many businesses and their staff to work together to try to trim costs and save jobs.
"The UK's flexible labour market has proved a huge asset during these testing times, and flexible working changes have enabled employers and staff to create leeway on working hours.
"While pay and recruitment freezes should disappear as the economy recovers, the spirit of flexibility and the willingness of many staff to engage positively with employers on these issues will hopefully be a more permanent benefit of the UK economy."
Albert Ellis, chief executive of Harvey Nash, added: "The recession has led to fundamental changes in the way employers recruit, motivate and develop employees, and UK plc must act fast to keep highly skilled talent in the UK labour market. Otherwise, we run the risk of conceding out competitive edge to other countries.
"Without a more proactive approach to training, accommodating and retaining talent, businesses risk missing out on the next generation of skills needed to compete."
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EU agreement reached to extend parental leave
Parental leave could increase from three to four months across the EU after an agreement reached last week.
The European social partners who represent employers, SMEs and trade unions in EU countries also agreed that employees returning from parental leave would have the right to return to their job or an equivalent position. They also said there would be stronger protection against dismissal while on parental leave.
It could take up to three years for the agreement to be applied across the EU as it needs to be studied by the European Commission and then agreed by a majority of the European Council of Ministers.
UK parents can have up to 13 weeks of unpaid parental leave for each child up until their fifth birthday.
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Cut wages or jobs, CIPD warns public sector
The Chartered Institute for Personnel Development has warned public sector unions that employees need to choose between high pay and job cuts.
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69% of FTSE 100 companies offer flexible working
More than two thirds of FTSE 100 companies are now offering flexible working, according to a survey.
The study by ntl: Telewest Business found 69% had already taken steps to prepare for the extension of flexible working to parents of children under 16 which came into effect in April.
The research also found companies like Marks & Spencer, Tesco, BP and Thomas Cook already offered flexible work packages which went further than legislative requirements.
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Dads summit promotes flexible working
The first summit in a campaign to encourage dads to take up flexible working options took place last week.
The summit, attended by Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families Ed Balls, formed part of the Think Fathers campaign and aimed to encourage employers to look at how they can help dads to play a larger role in family life.
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