We are always promoting flexibility in the workplace so it’s
great to see key figures are also supporting it. Read below to find out their
shared views.
Adam Crozier, chief executive of ITV:
When we set out
to transform ITV it was clear that the ability of our people to work flexibly
and adapt to a changing media environment would be a key part of that journey.
While there is still some way to go the changes we have
made in our workplace technology have facilitated flexible and mobile methods
of working, which have enabled staff to communicate and collaborate more effectively.
Creativity and consumer needs are at the heart of our
business and increased agility in our workforce benefits both our employees,
and our business, in particular our customers and clients.
The media landscape will continue to evolve and we will
continue to look at ways to keep adapting for the needs of all our
stakeholders.
Nick Clegg, Deputy Prime Minister:
The Coalition
Government believes that a more flexible approach to working practices can
deliver real benefits for business, the economy and families. The leadership
being shown by the Agile Future Forum on flexible working practices is an
important input for helping British business to be competitive in the global
market place.
Martyn Phillips, chief executive of B&Q:
We're delighted
to be a founder member of this new forward-looking employers' group, and are
committed to encouraging and facilitating workplace agility not only to help
future-proof our employment needs but also to help future-proof the careers of
our employees.
B&Q has a strong track-record of flexible employment
policies. They are core to our business and help us to ensure that we attract
and retain a diverse talent pool: people who are able to work flexibly ensuring
a work-life balance, who deliver a great service for our customers, and whose
skills, knowledge and expertise we are able retain within our business.
Retail is renowned for being a dynamic sector, and that's
no more true now with our constantly transforming operating environment. We
look forward, through membership of the AFF, to working alongside other leading
organisations to develop employer best practice to further strengthen the
agility of our business.
John Cridland, CBI Director-General:
Businesses need
to be agile as they go about creating and managing increasingly mobile
workforces.
That means thinking about flexible working, responding to
fluctuations in demand to meet business and customer needs, as well as engaging
fully with staff.
The Agile Future Forum’s work throws a spotlight on both
the tangible economic benefits of workforce agility and the challenges that lie
behind building models of flexibility for the future which work for employers
and employees.
Jo Swinson, Employment Relations Minister:
We know that
flexible working is good for business - it can boost motivation and
productivity of staff and ultimately help support growth of our economy. This
report by the Agile Future Forum provides clear evidence to show this.
I welcome businesses taking the lead on this issue and
demonstrating to other business how valuable flexibility can be. Sharing best
practice is important in making sure that flexible working becomes the norm.
