Flexible working has the support of an overwhelming majority of UK companies - a new study has revealed.
A survey by the Institute of Directors (IoD) and insurance firm Unum, found that 86% of the 500 business leaders questioned already operate flexible working practices, whilst 93% of those said they would operate flexible working even if there was no legislative requirement.
According to the IoD, the Flexible Working- the New World of Work report, provides strong encouragement to businesses by investigating how to expand flexible working practices.
What's more, one in two IoD members report that there has been a noticeable impact on the bottom-line from the use of flexible working.
The main drivers of flexible working practices were found to be recruitment, retention and supporting business needs. Interestingly, the weakest driver was legislative compliance, implying that the business community doesn't need to be told to implement flexible working- it is already ahead of the legislative curve.
Commenting on the report findings, IoD director general, Miles Templeman, said that, in terms of both time and location, flexible working practices are almost certain to expand considerably over the coming years.
He said what business doesn't need is the heavy hand of government, when, as this survey shows, the business case is far more compelling and persuasive than regulation.