Managers 'worried' by flexible working

Line managers in Britain are becoming increasingly concerned about an increase in flexible working, as they believe it could threaten their jobs.

According to Philip Flaxton, chief executive of Work Wise UK, managers are resistant to changes in the workplace because they think if they "empower people to work flexibly" it could mean they may no longer be needed by their employers, Personnel Today reports.

Speaking at a roundtable event hosted by BT, Caroline Waters, director of people and policy for the telecoms giant, pointed out that there is a myth among managers that having their workers in the office provides them with full control over staff.

"Managers are afraid of losing their status, their big offices and their prestige," she explained.
"HR should be telling managers that they have status because they deliver a service, not because they tell people what to do."

Other experts attending the event suggested that line managers are lacking key 21st century skills and needed to embrace change and trust flexible working more.

BT is actively promoting flexible working practices and over 13 per cent of the company's workforce is now based from home. Flexible working practices can be found in a range of sectors, including accountancy jobs, tax jobs, risk jobs and business development jobs.

Anyone can ask employers to work flexibly and the government has introduced a new statutory right to encourage applications from those looking after young children and carers.