UltraPing Blog

The government is taking an initiative to promote flexible working arrangements by making it compulsory for all job centres to ask companies who wish to advertise for a full time job vacancy to consider the options of part time work.

The head of the department concerned, Yvette Cooper, has opened up about this innovative concept. She emphasises that it would not be mandatory for employers to provide the option of flexible working. Nevertheless, this move would promote a transformation of work culture that will imbibe flexible working and help strike a much-needed balance between work and personal life.

In addition to this, Whitehall jobs will also shortly come with the option of part time and flexible working hours.

The move has struck a chord with civil society group Working Families, which has asked all political parties to commit towards encouraging flexible work in public sector organisations. This, in turn, will spur private players to join in.

It is important for employers to stop relying solely on the traditional full-time mode of working and ingrain flexible working options in the corporate culture of the country.

Flexible working is not an exclusive benefit for the employee. It is a good business decision as it allows the boss and the worker to set a pattern that suits both of them from the start. This saves enormous costs and reduces loss due to unnecessary sickness leaves and enrolment. Further, it ensures that bright minds find their way to appropriate jobs and deliver their best heartfelt performance.

The Certificate in Employment Relations, Law and Practice (CERLAP) is designed to help those who are involved in HR/personnel activities to implement effective HR policies around employment relations and get-to-grips with the key issues that impact on employment practice.