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Workplace Dynamics Shift Towards Teleworking And Greater Flexibility

The number of people 'teleworking' from home has risen dramatically over the past few years as employers offer more work flexibility than ever, a recent survey has revealed.

In the latest CBI / Pertemps Employment Trends Survey, almost half of all employers (46%) said they now offered teleworking to staff, which is a dramatic increase from 14% two years ago and 11% in 2004.

Bosses believe that staff may be trying to cut their carbon footprint, or are avoiding a troublesome commute and poor transport infrastructure. And employers also understand that productivity need not suffer if staff are not in the office.

Other strands of flexible working have also shot up, particularly term-time working, and job sharing. Over the past five years employers have also become increasingly supportive of staff looking to take career breaks or sabbaticals.

John Cridland, CBI Deputy Director-General, said: "The boundaries of the traditional 9 to 5 in the office or on the shop floor are becoming more and more blurred. Employers are embracing the benefits of flexible working, even as the economy heads into more uncertain times.

"Using teleworking to take work out of the workplace has become very popular, and is also a useful way to avoid a laborious commute, balance family commitments, and even reduce carbon emissions. As technology becomes more reliable and widely available, this trend can only grow."

Although employers are committed to diversity, nearly two thirds (59%) said the lack of applicants from disadvantaged groups remains the biggest obstacle to creating a more diverse workforce.

The full CBI / Pertemps report can be found here.

Disclaimer: This information is believed to be correct at the date of publication, 10 September 2008. However, no liability will be accepted for any action taken based on the information contained in this article. Please see our Terms & Conditions for more information.

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