Scottish employers with flexible and family friendly ways of working make people happier, more motivated, productive and more likely to stay, according to a poll by Family Friendly Working Scotland (FFWS)  to promote National Work Life Week on October 3-7, 2016.

Nearly two thirds (65%) of working parents in Scotland believe employees are happier and more likely to stay if their employer offers flexible options. A total of 62% think people are more motivated and productive (1).

Family Friendly Working Scotland (FFWS), a coalition of voluntary organisations and the Scottish Government, hopes the poll will encourage more Scottish businesses to take part in National Work-Life Week (October 3-7) by highlighting the benefit to business – as well as individuals – of establishing a good work life balance.

Nikki Slowey, programme director at FFWS, said: “Smarter ways of working ensure employers get the most from their people. Family friendly and flexible working practices have a tangible impact on employee performance and morale, which is good for people and good for business.

“Employees are simply more productive, engaged and motivated when they have control over their home and work life.

“National Work Life Week is a great opportunity for organisations to highlight how they support their people to have a healthy work life balance. It’s also a chance to find out what other businesses are doing – and the benefits they’re reaping – and think about how they can improve their own ways of working. 

IT consultancy Quorum Network Resources Ltd, is one of the companies taking part in the campaign. Andrew Watson, the managing director, said: “We are delighted to support National Work Life Week. Quorum is proud to offer flexible working practices for all employees.  As a company we rely on our reputation and our core values. One of our key values is to continually strive to give the best working environment we can to our employees who are our most valuable asset.

“We have extremely high retention rates and this means that the business has experience that rivals some of our largest competitors. By treating our employees fairly, Quorum has a workforce of employees that take pride in their work and care about the company.”

Organisations of all sizes from across the country are being encouraged to take part in National Work Life Week. In previous years, employers elsewhere in the UK have run well-being workshops, provided extra training for line managers and run online support and Q&A sessions for staff around work-life issues.