24-08-2007
SMEs should consider flexible working for staff
SMEs may find offering flexible working solutions difficult, but experts say it would help to retain staff and promote loyalty.
According to Sharon Charity, the press and communications officer for the Daycare Trust, small firms may find it difficult to offer a flexible working programme but it is an initiative that would be valued by parents.
"From the Daycare Trust's perspective, we think flexibility in work and balancing work and family life for parents is absolutely critical," said Ms Charity.
"It is something that parents value very much and [if employers] are looking to recruit and retain good staff that is one of the benefits that they can offer," she added.
Under current UK regulations, the working mothers of babies born after April 1st 2007 are entitled to receive 39 weeks of paid maternity leave at the statutory rate. More flexible arrangements for staff would help ensure that new parents feel more comfortable to come back to work.
Worried about absent staff? Read our article on preparing for staff leave ...