Flexible working makes healthier staff
February 17, 2010
Research has indicated that employees that are able to influence their own working hours are more likely to have good mental and physical health.
The study, carried out by researchers from the Cochrane Library looked at a number of studies carried out on 16,000 people, and found that people who had flexibility around their working hours may have better blood pressure and a healthier heart. Importantly, it was when the workers themselves controlled the flexibility that the positive health benefits could be seen – if the employer gave flexible working but controlled the hours, this was found to have no positive effect, or could even have a detrimental effect.
Although there has always been a belief in the general benefits of flexible working options, this study has now provided evidence that this is the case.
Last year the right to request flexible working was extended to parents of children up to the age of 16, following a review of the legislation. Whether this will ever be extended to all workers has been debated widely, however this is unlikely in the short term. What is clear, however, is the more flexible employers can be in relation to their employees’ working hours, the better the effect on the general wellbeing of their employees will be.
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I would agree that flexible working hours is good for the overall performance of the worker. They would have a work and family balance.