Flexible working - putting into practice (report from WiM Milton Keynes June network meeting)

‘Flexible working – putting into Practice’

Hard on the heels of its Spring re-launch, WiM hosted its second quarterly evening giving local women an insight into making flexible working appropriate for them and viewing the benefits for MK employers.

This practical session was led by local business woman Rachel Lewis of CPR Strategists Ltd, who presented a fascinating review of the MK’s work patterns. She also aired opportunities to help exploit the skills mismatch between companies’ needs and those women, in particular, with life commitments. This could mean that true flexibility on behalf of employers was an attractive way of encouraging their continued employment with a business or a managed return to paid work.

There was then an annual report from MK Women & Work, who have been instrumental in opening up the debate around workplace culture and the need for us all to think differently in these increasingly pressurised times. 

There were then two case studies: a PR professional at MK Council explaining how he set out his case for reduced hours without simply re-distributing workload onto other team members; and then a presentation by our local Police about the programme they have initiated to change attitudes in a previously traditional shift pattern. Results are impressive. 

WiM attendees then got down to the serious task of piloting some survey materials that Rachel is going to use to find out what local women are really looking for in terms of flexible opportunities. Rachel is also going to approach a range of local employers to ask about their flexible working practices and their attitudes to flexible working.

Hopefully you will see one of the questionnaires and join in!

Our thanks once again to event sponsor Office Angels.