Building a multidimensional case for embedded flexible/agile working

Last week we attended the Working Families Annual Conference where we looked at the key elements of the business case for flexible working.  We heard from leading organisations who have successfully embedded flexible working within the culture of their organisation; RBS, BAE systems, DLA Piper and the Bank of England.

Flexible working has come a long way and is no longer just seen as a tool for tackling gender imbalance or as a way to accommodate parents and carers but as a way of working that increases organisational effectiveness and performance.  In some workplaces it is now referred to as smart, agile, intelligent or dynamic working.  However, embedding it across an organisation and ensuring consistency and fairness is a challenge for all employers.

We heard from:

Marjorie Strachan, Head of inclusion at RBS, who shared insights about the benefits flexible working policies have had on the award-winning organisation.

Monica Gordon from BAE Systems shared with us details of their innovative ‘schedule based’ working in their production sites and their ‘smart working’ options for professional and office-based staff.

Mitra Janes from DLA Piper, who talked about how to make the business case using the Agile Future Forum approach, in particular how to engage with all the stakeholders.

Cat Hines, Private Secretary to the Executive Director of HR & Interim Head of Early Careers, Bank of England, shared with us what the bank is doing on wider inclusion at all levels of the organisation.