Job seekers value flexitime over pay

To retain staff the hospitality industry needs to offer employees flexible hours rather than extra cash, a car or gym membership, concludes a new Department of Trade & Industry (DTI) poll.

The online poll, carried out by recruitment company Reed, surveyed 4,000 job seekers across all industry sectors and found almost half (46%) valued flexibility as the most important factor when searching for a new job.

A third of those surveyed said they would prefer the opportunity to work flexible hours instead of an extra £1,000 pay a year.

The poll forms part of a new DTI awareness campaign to promote the family-friendly employment rights changes that are due to come into operation on 6 April as amendments made to the Employment Act last year.

The new rights mean more pay and leave for 3.7 million working new mothers, fathers and adoptive parents. By law, employers will have to seriously consider requests from parents with young or disabled children to work flexibly, unless there is a sound business case against it.

Non-compliance by employers could result in compensation being paid to employees who request flexible working.

"The new employment rights will be a major step forward in helping businesses hold on to good staff and help millions of working parents balance work and childcare," said Trade & Industry Secretary Patricia Hewitt.

The consultation period for the draft of regulations relating to the new flexible working hours ended on 10 October 2002, and further announcements will be made in the run-up to the April deadline, following Parliamentary approval.

A new national helpline from arbitration service Acas has been launched to deal with enquires and can be contacted on 08457 474747. There is also helpful information on its Web site: www.acas.org.uk

by Chris Druce

Source: Caterer & Hotelkeeper magazine, 9-15 January 2003