To think Companies/employers should offered more flexible work, less hours, more annual leave

[Luna9]

Just reading another thread about how unhappy many people is to be working/commuting 5 days per week and I am thinking people will be happier if they could have a bit more flexibility like doing some days/hours from home. Also 35 hours per week instead of 37.5 or 40 and 30 days annual leave.

I understand flexible working doesn’t work for some jobs but it does for many others.

I think people will be more productive and happier.

Just dreaming

I've worked my way up from the entry level role in my company and am now COO. Our CEO used to be the head of a union, so is well attuned to workers needs and grumbles.

I've been systematically unpicking every stupid piece of inflexibility this company has imposed on me the past 8 years, and it feels fantastic. Our company has very little need for rigid working practices, so it's always been a slap in the face to be subject to presenteeism alongside some truly mediocre employees when I've been working my arse off.

I've reduced hours (and increased pay at the same time), made a transparent and fair pay system, relaxed rules on home working and am working towards a more fully flexible approach.

I'm very proud to have turned around the company culture in that regard, but it's depressing to see so many people sceptical.

That's fantastic, good on you thecatsthecats

We need more people like you in management. Unfortunately some people seem to believe you're only getting something out of staff if you're getting something over them.

I am absoloutley convinced that our office could close on a Friday with no repercussions. It's the day most take off, so the place is only half full.

I’m sure my last office could have done too. At least closed at lunchtime on a Friday.

it's depressing to see so many people sceptical

Yes.

I'm in retail (clothing) and in winter we could easily shut two hours earlier than we do without it having a negative impact on our takings.

Nothing worse for staff morale than having six people stood around bored out of their brains at the end of the day because there are no customers for weeks on end.

Management won't hear of it though - apparently it's not the done thing to have summer/winter hours in a town fully reliant on summer tourism