Flexible Working - The Business Case

 

Many enlightened British organisations, both large and small, from across a wide range of sectors have enjoyed real business benefits as a result of their modern approach to work-life balance.  More flexible working policies have helped businesses to improve customer service, reduce staff stress and absenteeism and reduce recruitment costs because their staff are happier.

 

In the foreword to "Flexible Working - The Business Case", published by The Department of Trade and Industry, Patricia Hewitt, then Secretary of State for Trade and Industry said:

 

"Over the last decade there has been a revolution in the workplace. Now that women make up almost half the workforce, the relationship between work and family life has altered dramatically and the world of work must catch up. 

 

Allowing people to work in a sensible way that allows them to balance earning a living with looking after their children is not only good for families and children, it is good for business too.

 

Although there are many excellent examples of businesses operating modern flexible workplaces, there are still too many organisations where an old-fashioned long hours culture still prevails. This is costly -  although British companies work the longest hours in Europe, our productivity levels are one of the lowest and stress-related sickness costs British business around £12 billion every year.

 

If we left it to best practice alone, it would take 20 years for the culture to change fundamentally. We cannot wait this long."

    

 

Services

• Feasibility Evaluation - Case for Flexible Working/Annual Hours

• Annualised (Annual) Hours Scheme Design and Implementation

• Flexible Working Scheme Design & Implementation

• Workforce and Working Practice Audit

• Workforce Planning

• Demand Analysis

• Productivity Analysis

• Task Analysis (Activity Analysis)

• Shift Pattern Optimisation

• Roster Design

The Company & Principals

Workforce Logistics is a management consultancy offering services in the design, development and maintenance of flexible working and annualised hours working schemes and incorporates the practice of Philip Lynch.

On implementation, these schemes can deliver immediate bottom-line improvements to businesses, guaranteed incomes and improved work-life balance to employees and improved flexibility in supply to customers.

Clients include companies and organisations in both private and public sectors.

A selection of client flexible working and annual hours case studies are published here and on our corporate site.  References from previous and current clients are available on request.

"The flexible working schemes which we assist clients to design deliver greater business productivity and improved work-life balance for people.  A real "win-win".

Ken Beaumont,  Workforce Logistics Ltd

"...research shows that long hours damage your health, relationships with partners and children and, interestingly, your productivity."

Cary Cooper

Professor -Organisational Psychology and Health, Lancaster University

(Accountancy Age feature on work/life balance 2005)

Customers include:

• Manufacturing: D.S.Smith/Rapak, Millbrook Beds, W.L.Gore, Howden Kitchens, deluxe

• Food: Nestle, Arla Foods, Irish Sugar, Mr Kipling, Kerry Ingredients

• Distilling & Brewing:  Diageo, Wells and Young's

• Veterinary Services: Vets Now Emergency, Royal Veterinary College

• Logistics/Distribution: MD Foods, DSGI, Mersey Docks & Harbour Co, Dubai Ports Authority

• Power Generation: e-on

• Chemicals: Huntsman, Arran, British Salt, Omya

• IT / Security: Bailey Telecom, Sungard, Olympus

• Housing Associations: Ashfield, United House, Irwell Valley

• Fire and Rescue Services:  Greater Manchester, County Durham and Darlington, Nottinghamshire, BAA

• Police Forces:  Dorset, British Transport Police

• Health & Social Care: Christie Hospital Trust, Falkirk Social Services, Carillion Health

• Drug & Alcohol Counselling: Swanswell

• Universities: Reading, Bolton

• Philip Lynch Heritage Clients: Tesco, Unilever, Welsh Water, Guinness, BNFL, Motorola, Rhodia, Kellogg's, Guinness, Waterford-Wedgwood, Unilever, Kettle Foods, Zeneca. AnPost, Dairy Crest, St Ivel,  Scottish Power, Royal Sun Alliance.

Case studies available here            

© Workforce Logistics 2010