A series of round table discussions held throughout the year, involving prominent senior representatives of over 25 Sussex, Surrey and South London based businesses*, has resulted in a blueprint in successful implementation of flexible working.

Initiated by Emma Cleary, www.flexibilitymatters.co.uk  - a collection of crucial real life insights from varying sized and industry sector businesses has revealed that any perceived challenges in implementation of flexible working can be overcome with the right approach. With 87% of UK employees either working flexibly already or wanting to, it's clearly essential for all businesses to properly embrace and implement it within their teams. Not only has it been proven that a flexible workforce improves productivity and decreases absenteeism, companies committing to flexible recruitment are undoubtedly attracting and retaining the best talent.

Discussions recognised the key implementation challenges for most businesses were:

• Enabling the flexible working mindset to filter through multiple levels of management
• Managing the large variety of work patterns and different needs of regional offices.
• Tackling tech, training and communication at a team level.

To overcome these and fully realise the rewards of a flexible workforce, Flexibility Matters share some of the key strategies that make up the 10-point best practice guide here:

•  A cultural core value shift that requires implementation from the very top, led by example and evident in CEOs and line managers working flexibly themselves.
•  Internal promotion of success stories regarding retention, talent and productivity, proving that flexible arrangements improve the bottom line.
• A clear set of guiding principles, training and tool kits that enable and empower managers at all levels to navigate their own team's varying work patterns and different needs.
• Fostering a results-based culture rather than focusing on time spent at work- supporting managers with the tools to measure this.
• An investment in technology that embraces both trading progression and new ways of working. Training managers and teams on how to use agile working enabling technology such as Office 365, Open Chat and advanced performance management tools such as 'Open Blend'.
• Transparent website and promotional materials, highlighting the company's flexible working practices, maternity and paternal leave. Plus; flexible working options to feature within role advertising to attract the best talent and at interview stage to establish an ideal work pattern that also meets the demands of the role.

Flexibility Matters Director, Emma Cleary enthuses: "From collating various flexible working strategy insights from key influential heads of Sussex, Surrey and South London based companies, we're now in a strong position to be able to distribute a set of best practice guidelines for any size business to use. We're so thankful to everyone involved in getting flexible working highly placed within more business agendas".

For the FULL 10-POINT BEST PRACTICE GUIDE, visit Flexibility Matters'

Contact page: https://www.flexibilitymatters.co.uk/contact/ and message: "please can you send me the full 10-point best practice guide" or contact Emma at Flexibility Matters on 0781 0541 599, emma@flexmatters.co.uk.

For more info, or to register: www.flexibilitymatters.co.uk.

*DISCUSSION GROUP DATES/BUSINESSES INVOLVED:

01 March, 04 July 2019, 4 October 2019:

Flexibility Matters, Propellernet, First Central Insurance, The Student Room, Man Bites Dog, Futrili, Crunch, Brighton Chamber of Commerce, Platinum Publishing, B&CE, Brandwatch, Change, Grow, Live, Leaders, Kreston Reeve, Mumbelieveable, Thales, ABS Law, Reigate and Banstead Borough Council, Sweetinburgh and Windsor, Venture Business, The Light Bulb Tree, 3, Leadership Academy - NHS, Guidant Global, SRM, FSCS, Pfizer, Amazon, Baby to Boardroom, Become Communications
Flexibility Matters are dedicated to flexible recruiting, best practice in flexible working, events and training. Matching all types of businesses with specialist individuals seeking flexible roles, Flexibility Matters help local businesses reap the rewards of a flexible workforce and professionals secure a role that achieves the work/life balance they need.

For more information, contact Emma at Flexibility Matters on 0781 0541 599, emma@flexmatters.co.uk.

Website: www.flexibilitymatters.co.uk