Flexible working is a 'solution to more competitiveness'

Date: 6th February 2012

Small businesses are increasingly recognising the benefits of adopting a flexible workforce, it has been suggested.

Former British Chambers of Commerce Chief Executive David Frost has claimed that employers are no longer turning to flexible workers as a temporary fix.

"The UK's flexible labour market has long been acknowledged as a significant competitive advantage and a driver of investment and growth in this country. But with 2.6 million unemployed and the UK hovering close to a double-dip recession, it is more important than ever that we think critically about flexibility," he explained.

"Employers are adopting a more flexible approach not only as a temporary retention strategy, but as a permanent and sustainable solution to more competitiveness."

The comments come after the Recruitment and Employment Confederation's (REC) Flexible Work Commission met to explore the "knowledge gap" that exists in the UK around successfully managing flexible workforces.

Posted by Thomas Fletcher