A new survey shows that two thirds of Irish managers (68%) say their organisation offers flexibility in balancing home and work life. A survey of 500 business managers, carried out by Deloitte, found that the most popular flexible work option offered by managers is flexible hours - up from 65% in 2002 to 82% in 2004.
'The results of this survey will come as good news to employers and employees actively participating in Irish Work Life Balance Day on March 1,' said John McGarry, Director of Human Capital Advisory Services at Deloitte.
'Work life balance policies can help both employers and employees to reconcile work needs with lives outside of the workplace. Put simply, it means putting in place working arrangements and policies which assist workers to combine employment with other responsibilities and choices,' he said.
'Such arrangements offer employers the opportunity to develop a more productive and committed workforce,' he added.
The survey found that the number of organisations offering part-time working has increased from 50% in 2002 to 74% in 2004. Job sharing has increased from 34% to 395 during the same period.
Only 68% of managers now claim to offer parental leave, even though this is now a legal requirement. While employers are legally obliged to provide maternity and unpaid parental leave, an increasing number are offering paid leave to both parents.
The Deloitte survey also reveals that the move towards e-working is happening at a slower pace than many expected - the number of companies offering teleworking has increased from 36% in 2002 to 44% in 2004.
