Flexible working ‘not always’ to employers’ advantage

The Institute of Directors (IoD) has said that the introduction of flexible working patterns doesn't invariably work to the benefit of employers.

In a recent IoD survey, almost one in four respondents (18 per cent) said that flexible working agreements with employees had caused problems for the operation of their businesses.

The evidence, the IoD added, is that flexible working is not a universal benefit, and that any further regulation supporting flexible working would be a mistake.

Alexander Ehmann, head of regulatory affairs at the IoD, said: "It's true that most flexible working arrangements bring benefits to both employers and employees, and we welcome that. The vast majority of businesses recognise the advantages that flexibility can bring to the workplace and were offering these arrangements long before the introduction of a right to request flexible working.

"However, we shouldn't fall into the trap of assuming that all flexible working arrangements, such as flexi-time or remote working, are beneficial to both parties on all occasions."

The IoD went on to say that employers are under too much pressure to accommodate flexible working requests as a result of existing laws without any additional legislation being added to the rule book.