Go beyond the statutory requirements
Flexible working choices can increase the pool of potential recruits and stem the loss of skilled employees mid-career. If you are serious about diversity and inclusion, you have to go beyond the statutory requirements and treat flexible working as a natural and positive option – and one that is no barrier to progression.
What you should do
- Be open to a variety of arrangements, formal and informal. Recognise the potential of IT for facilitating home-working.
- Strive to create a culture whereby employees feel confident in asking for flexible working, without any fear that their careers are being jeopardised.
- Make sure everyone knows what’s available and consider mentioning flexible working options in recruitment. What’s needed is a more creative and open-minded approach