Businesses urged to extend flexible working in wake of fuel crisis

02/06/2008

Businesses have been urged to extend their flexible working policies in the wake of more hikes in fuel prices.

Workplace information consultancy Croner said with the average price of diesel edging towards £1.30 a litre, employers should consider requests for more flexible working as a way of ‘easing the financial burden’ on their staff.

According to current law, only parents and carers have the right to ask for flexible working, but Croner said all workers with cars are likely to be scrutinising the financial cost of travelling to and from work.

Joanne Pitts, employment law consultant at the organisation, said the cost of getting to work is soaring, particularly in more rural areas.

“As a result, we expect an increasing number of employees to be approaching their bosses with requests to consider changing their terms and conditions in order to reduce their weekly spend.

“For some part-time staff, they may be wondering whether it’s financially worth them travelling to work at all,” she said.

She added that it may be possible for some employees to work from home or to alter their start and finish times to avoid the rush hour traffic, and therefore the time spent sitting idle in traffic.

“Flexible working can improve employee relations and staff morale, as well as setting companies apart from their competitors,” she said.