Embracing Flexibility: The Transformative Power of Flexible Working Practices

In today's fast-paced world, the traditional 9-to-5 work schedule is slowly but surely making way for a more adaptable and inclusive approach – flexible working practices. The workplace landscape is evolving, and as it does, flexible working practices are gaining momentum. 

These practices offer an array of benefits for both employees and employers, making them a powerful force in reshaping how we work. In this blog post, we'll explore the myriad reasons why flexible working practices deserve our praise.

Improved Work-Life Balance

One of the most significant advantages of flexible working practices is the ability to achieve a better work-life balance. Traditional office hours often force employees to juggle their personal and professional lives. Flexible schedules, on the other hand, empower individuals to better manage their time and responsibilities. Whether it's caring for family members, pursuing personal interests, or simply enjoying some downtime, flexible working practices allow for a harmonious integration of work and life.

Increased Productivity

Contrary to the belief working from home or choosing your hours may lead to slacking off, studies show flexible working practices can actually boost productivity, instead. Employees are more likely to be motivated and engaged when they have control over their work environment and schedules. Fewer distractions, reduced commute times, and a greater sense of autonomy can result in higher efficiency and output.

Attracting Top Talent

The job market is becoming increasingly competitive, and attracting and retaining the best talent is crucial for any organization's success. Flexible working practices are a magnet for top talent, as they provide a level of freedom and flexibility that many professionals seek. Offering flexible options can set a company apart from the competition and attract the most qualified and motivated individuals.

Cost Savings

Both employees and employers can enjoy cost savings through flexible working practices. For employees, the reduction in commuting expenses, work attire costs, and daily lunch expenses can significantly impact their finances. Employers, on the other hand, can reduce overhead expenses related to office space, utilities, and other facilities. This can lead to a more efficient use of resources and an overall healthier bottom line.

Enhanced Wellbeing

The importance of mental and physical wellbeing cannot be overstated, and flexible working practices have a positive impact on these aspects of our lives. Reduced commuting stress, the ability to create a comfortable home office environment, and the freedom to exercise and maintain a healthy lifestyle during the workday contribute to overall employee wellbeing. When employees are happy and healthy, they are more likely to be productive and committed to their jobs.

Environmental Benefits

Flexible working practices are not only advantageous for individuals and businesses but also for the environment. With fewer people commuting to a centralized location, there is a reduction in traffic congestion and carbon emissions. This shift towards remote work and flexible schedules aligns with sustainability goals and contributes to a greener planet.

Flexibility is the name of the game in the modern workforce. Flexible working practices are a testament to the adaptability and evolution of the traditional workplace. They empower individuals to achieve a work-life balance, enhance productivity, attract the best talent, save costs, improve wellbeing, and contribute to a sustainable future. It's time to celebrate the transformative power of flexible working practices and embrace a future where work is not just a place you go but something you do, on your terms.

(Image courtesy of Karolina Grabowska from Pixabay)

Mark Your Calendar – Tuesday 27th March 2012 WORKINGMUMS LIVE EXHIBITION

Workingmums.co.uk is holding its second flexible careers fair: Workingmums Live, on Tuesday 27th March 2012 at the Business Design Centre in Islington. It’s a unique event on everything related to flexible working, giving working parents the opportunity to:

* Meet with family friendly employers face to face including: H&M, Santander, John Lewis, Hobbs,
Coca Cola Enterprises, Thames Valley Police and Everything Everywhere
* Hear from mother of three and BBC presenter: Joanna Gosling who has just written, Simply Wonderwoman
* Find flexible job opportunities
* Get advice on being self employed, starting a business or setting up a franchise
* Improve their CV and brush up on interview techniques
* Get advice on retraining from the experts
* Meet with franchisors including Creation Station and Bright & Beautiful, and find out about self-employment opportunities with businesses including Stella&Dot, Avon and me&i
* Attend informative seminars on everything from flexible working legislation to tax credits and how to run your own business
* Find out about childcare options and business funding

The first exhibition, held on 8th March 2011 (International Women’s Day) was a success with over 1,400 people attending the event.

Venue: Business Design Centre, Islington, London.

Time: 9am – 4pm

Nearest Tube Station: Angel

The event is free for all attendees, and little ones are more than welcome – they have changing stations and crèche facilities.

To register, please visit http://www.workingmumslive.co.uk/london

If you are interested in exhibiting at the event, or taking part in some way, please click here, call us on 020 8432 6094 or email live@workingmums.co.uk.

Tips for home-workers from Endsleigh Insurance

The current job market is encouraging many people, especially working mums, to try self-employed life for the first time. Endsleigh Insurance provides tips for people setting up their own businesses.

Kate Jenner Commercial Team Manager of http://www.endsleigh.co.uk/ commented: “We’re getting more and more enquiries from people setting up in business on their own for the first time. The internet has made it easier and cheaper for people to trade, but so many are naïve about how to go about it.”

Top 5 tips

1. Benefit from business accounts
It may not seem like a priority if you’re not expecting to make much money initially, but it’s important to separate your personal and business finances – also there are free gifts and other benefits to enjoy.

All the main high street banks will be competing for your business and will offer all manner of perks and gifts to get you to bank with them. When you are starting off on your own, every little helps.

At the same time, get your mobile phone transferred to a business account. Welcome improved customer service and special deals that only apply to business users! Moving your mobile phone to a business account can be a great money saver. You might be able to combine with a broadband package and often benefit from attractive phone upgrades as well as free calls between business users.

2. Put all “sundries” through the company account
“Working from home” can mean sitting at a computer, or driving around your local community, either way you are going to clock up a lot of payments for small items.

This can mean paying for tea bags, buying a new computer keyboard, or simply stocking up on pens! Make sure you get a VAT receipt for all payments as it all stacks up.

3. Use your social networks to market yourself as cheaply as possible
Advertising in the local paper, or online, might be necessary to get yourself started, but there’s nothing like using your network of friends, family and former business contacts to find work.

This isn’t the time to be bashful – make sure everyone knows about your new business by updating your LinkedIn profile and sending out messages through Facebook and Twitter.

4. Join relevant groups & organisations
Is there a union or organisation that covers your particular sector? Joining up can reap huge rewards, by offering you discounted training and advertising opportunities, as well as widening your network of contacts.

As well as official bodies, look out for collectives that work with people like you. There are lots of excellent organisations representing your focus or network, working mums, local business forums for example. Or if you are a blogger you will find a number of groups to join.

5. Protect yourself
Whatever service or product you are selling, you are liable for its safety, accuracy and general adherence to the law. Whatever your line of business, whether a beautician, writer or plumber you will need cover for Business and Office Equipment, Stock, Business Travel, Revenue Protection, Tools and Goods in Transit.

Endsleigh strongly recommended that sole traders and the self-employed ask an advisor about Public Liability insurance costs and benefits for their sector.

FACTFILE:
Endsleigh is an independent intermediary specialising in the provision of insurance and financial products for career people.

The team have access to the leading insurers and lenders in the UK market, offering comprehensive advice on all areas of financial planning. Along with offering advice on financial protection, investments and retirement planning, Endsleigh also has dedicated mortgage and corporate advisers.

Endsleigh online http://www.endsleigh.co.uk
Endsleigh Insurance on Twitter http://www.twitter.com/Endsleigh
Endsleigh Press Office on Twitter http://twitter.com/EndsleighPR
Endsleigh on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/endsleigh

New award aims to celebrate working mum champions

Do you know of someone in your place of work or company who has made a big difference to working mums? Perhaps you have a colleague or an employee who has set up a parents' forum at work or a manager who has come up with specific initiatives which benefit working mums?

If so, www.workingmums.co.uk is looking for you.

They are asking employees to nominate stand-out individuals who they believe have made a difference to their lives for our Working Mums Champion Award. Potential recipients of this Award includes senior or middle managers who have done any of the following or have made a difference to working mums' lives in some other way:

- Set up a parent support forum
- Put forward innovative proposals for areas such as maternity leave and return to work
- Introduced mentoring schemes for women
- Championed the recruitment and retention of working mums through specific initiatives, going beyond standard company policy.

Gillian Nissim, who is the founder of Workingmums.co.uk, says: “Workingmums believes these people must be celebrated. Again and again we have been told that company policy and practice can only go so far in promoting measures such as flexible working which make it possible for working parents to balance work and family life. A major role is played by individual managers and colleagues in helping to create a culture which gets the best out of staff.”

Workingmums.co.uk has featured examples of such individuals, including Caroline Artis, a partner at Ernst & Young, who set up the firm’s Parents’ Network to help mums on maternity leave reintegrate better into the workplace after she came back to work in 2005.

She describes the Parents’ Network as being an important extension of the type of networking that naturally happens for parents at home – whether through ante-natal classes or at the school gate. “The Parents’ Network allows people who have lost day to day contact with such networks through their return to work to share their concerns and support each other in the workplace,” she says.

Another example is Claire Morley-Jones of hr180, a human resources business, who offers all her staff an individual working pattern. Employees can also bring children into the office in emergencies and when children fall ill the business can flexibly arrange work around them and their mothers. There is a laptop set up with access to Cbeebies, games and colouring books on offer for those children needing to drop in.

“We have doubled our turnover in the last two years,” says Morley-Jones. “We are not just a namby pamby bunch of girls. We can show that this way of working does make a difference.”

If you know someone who is making a big impact to the lives of working mums, click here to nominate them for the award and celebrate their achievements. More details: www.workingmums.co.uk/topemployerawards/

(EDITOR: SHOULD parents be encouraged to take their children to work? What do YOU think?)