Flexible working is set to become mainstream for most employers by 2020, research suggests

The majority of companies will offer their employees flexible working opportunities by 2020, a new research report from the Lancaster University’s Work Foundation has been able to reveal.

The paper, „Working anywhere: A winning formula for good work?” also forecasted that flexible working will be the main way of working for 70 per cent of organisations by 2020, according to the research with 500 managerial level employees within medium to large businesses.

44 per cent of respondents participating in the survey believed that mobile working allowed them to get more work done, while 42 per cent said it made them feel more trusted and 35 per cent said it was essential for their work life balance, and reduced travelling times.

On the other hand, the report also highlighted barriers to change because more than a third (37 per cent) of managers believed mobile working would result in longer hours and becoming disconnected from their team, while 28 per cent felt it could block them from overseeing others’ work. Furthermore, 24 per cent said all work in their organisation is carried out on company premises suggesting a cultural barrier to working ‘on-the-go’.

Further concerns were raised regarding the level of pressure flexible working would have on HR departments. Three quarters said it would be a challenge for their organisation, 84 per cent said it would require changes to performance management and 82 per cent said it would require changes to employment terms and conditions.

Tensor time and attendance system is the perfect solution for the thorough management of flexible working hours

Tensor plc supplies an extensive range of workforce management solutions that cater for all the requirements of the modern workplace, including flexible working.

The system can supply working rules for a variety of purposes, from simple determination of overtime by the number of daily hours worked, to the more complex payment of overtime hours adjusted when periodic targets are not met. The system also contains special rules to accommodate the formal flexitime contracts worked by many public sector employees. Workers paid on an annual contract basis can receive reports stating how many contracted hours they have yet to work.

Additionally, our top-range WinTA suite features an On-line Self Service module that allows staff to clock IN or OUT, check hours, request leave + other functions via internet, mobile or other communications.

Furthermore, with the Telephone Clocking module, staff can call in from remote locations to clock IN or OUT or review their flexitime balance or remaining holiday entitlement. After entry of their pass code, an automated, spoken menu guides employees to the option they require.

If you’d like to find out more about the range of workforce management and Time and Attendance solutions supplied by Tensor and just how we can help your company implement thorough and reliable flexible working arrangements, just contact us or Book a Demo.