CMI welcomes new rights to request time for training and flexible working

3 December 2008 - The Chartered Management Institute believes that the new rights announced in today’s Queen’s Speech will be a powerful and much needed incentive for both employers and employees to increase levels of skills training and help to retain key staff during the downturn.

Commenting on the rights to request time off for training, Petra Wilton, director of policy and research at the CMI says: “Further to our research and submissions, we are delighted that the Government has responded to the need to encourage investment in skills.  Clearly, there is an urgent need to increase levels of skills training, particularly those associated with leadership and management, and we believe that the new Bill will have a positive effect. Our most recent survey shows that 64 per cent of employers consider that this new right to request will increase training levels, with nearly 60 per cent agreeing that it would improve employee motivation.” 

She adds: “The proposals come as the need for leadership and management skills is growing across the economy. Figures show that the number of UK managers is predicted to grow by 1.3 per cent per annum between now and 2014, yet 36 per cent of organisations report that their managers are not proficient. The bottom line is that we need more, better qualified managers in the UK in order to remain competitive on a global scale.”

Commenting on the extension of the right to request flexible working, Wilton argues that: “It is clear from research conducted by the Chartered Management Institute that only a minority of managers and leaders supported initial suggestions to delay these proposals.  In fact, more than half went further and called for ‘flexible working for all’.  In an age where the majority of employees regularly work excessive hours, surely the point for employers to focus on is the end results and quality of work rather than seeking conformity across individual working patterns.

Wilton concludes: “Within the current economic climate it also makes sense for employers to give serious consideration to flexible working requests, giving staff the opportunity to reduce their travel time or adjust their specific hours can be highly motivation and help retain key talent at a time when UK organizations need their skills the most.”

To arrange interviews with Petra Wilton, or for further information on the research, call Mike Petrook on 020 7497 0496. 

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Further information:

Mike Petrook, Institute Press Office

Tel: 020 7497 0496; outside office hours: 07931 302 877

Email:press.office@managers.org.uk

Website: www.managers.org.uk

NOTES TO EDITORS

As the champion of management, the Chartered Management Institute shapes and supports the managers of tomorrow, helping them deliver results in a dynamic world. The Institute helps set and raise standards in management, encouraging development to improve performance. Moreover, with in-depth research and regular policy surveys of its 81,000 individual members and 450 corporate members, the Institute has a deep understanding of the key issues.  The Chartered Management Institute came into being on 1 April 2002, as a result of the Institute of Management being granted a Royal Charter.