Equality and Human Rights Commission

This guide is designed to help business managers discover and implement innovative working methods which improve productivity and customer service, save money and enable employees to balance their work and personal lives.

Introducing and managing new ways of working may seem daunting. But experience shows that it does not have to be that way and the rewards of doing it well can be huge. Taking the first step may be the most difficult part. This guide is here to help you.

This guide covers:

• The business benefits that firms can achieve
• Key principles for introducing flexibility
• Advice on creating a flexible workplace
• Key management skills required
• Case studies of innovative working in large and small firms
• A problem-solving Q&A for challenging situations

For smaller businesses who do not have access to in-house professional advice the we have produced tailored guidance:‘A short guide to Flexible Working – What it is and how you can make it work for your business.’

Downloads

PDF version | Word version | Welsh language version 

Video footage from the guide launch

You can view six video clips taken from the guide's launch event in Manchester on 16 October 2009. The clips are:

• Introduction speech by Trevor Phillips, Commission Chair
• Comments by Chris Fletcher, Deputy Chief Executive, Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce
• Q&A session from the audience to a panel including Trevor Phillips, Chris Fletcher, and Peter Heginbotham OBE, Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce
• Case Study 1: Ann Rimmer, Creative Director, Clock Creative
• Case Study 2: Tina Morris, Business Development and Events Manager, BT
• Further Q&A session with Tina Morris, Ann Rimmer, Alan Christie (EHRC), Chris Fletcher, Peter Heginbotham OBE