Staff more likely to stay if given flexible options

Companies are likely to retain their staff if they offer flexible options.

London: Companies are more likely to retain their staff for long if they offer more flexible options, such as working from home, according to a new report.

A survey of almost 700 employees by recruitment firm Hays found that majority of people think that flexible working improved work-life balance, often taking it into account when choosing a job. Over one-third of public sector staff said their employer encouraged flexible working, compared with just 18 percent in private firms. "Employers and their staff see flexible working policies as a positive move but more needs to be done to make sure these are implemented in the workplace, a news daily quoted Charles Logan, director at Hays, as saying. "Our research indicates that employers offer flexible working options to support their employees, with a comparatively small number saying they adopt flexible working simply to conform to current legislation, he added. TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber said: "The right to request flexible working is not only proving popular with employees, this survey shows it offers business benefits such as better morale and staff retention." ANI