Flexible working in recession urged

EMPLOYEES SHOULD be offered more flexible rather than shorter working hours by companies attempting to combat the recession and hold on to their best staff, it was claimed yesterday.

This approach could pay major dividends for companies and put an end to the culture of long working hours which exists in Ireland, Prof Cary Cooper, an expert in organisational psychology, said.

"Flexible working also makes economic sense with a return of €3 to €7 for every €1 spent by an organisation on flexible working," he said.

"This is a great example of how so-called 'softer' interventions can have a positive impact on the bottom line during these difficult economic times."

Prof Cooper was speaking to The Irish Times yesterday ahead of delivering the 21st Annual James Smiley Lecture to the faculty of occupational medicine at the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland. He is professor of organisational psychology and health at Lancaster University in England and author of more than 100 books.

Prof Cooper said that levels of stress and anxiety among staff are likely to increase in times of recession as resources become scarce and financial pressures mount.

"It's absolutely fundamental in these times that we manage staff properly and ensure that they don't work excessively long hours and that we provide them with flexible arrangements wherever we can."

He said Ireland has a service- based economy and many jobs in these areas can be done away from the office, allowing staff to avoid lengthy commutes and spend more time with their families, while still getting their job done. Companies should give employees more autonomy, he said.