Codestone

Category: Workforce mobility

The government is aiming to make it easier for businesses to understand the benefits of allowing their staff to engage in home working and other flexible techniques.

Transport minister Norman Baker has launched the Anywhere Working consortium that has been set up to promote the advantages of the option.

A host of top companies – including Microsoft – have signed up as founding partners of the scheme.

Trades Union Congress general secretary Brendan Barber last week stated: "Smarter working must be part of the modern economy. Many employees want greater access to flexible and high quality home working and employers should do more to provide it."

Mr Baker said that encouraging businesses to think flexibly and pay more attention to the location of their staff is the "smart thing" to do.

Jonathan Swan, research and policy manager at Working Families, recently said flexible working can help firms to attract the very best staff.

Posted by Victoria Browne