Mon, 10 Jan 2011
Businesses that do not offer flexible working practices to employees run the risk of losing their best talent.
This is one of the findings of new research conducted by YouGov on behalf of mobile communications firm Orange, which found the majority of men would not take the full amount of the six months paternity leave they would be offered under planned changes.
Only 18 per cent of respondents said they would use the entire half-year to care for their newborn child, with around half (47 per cent) of those who stated they would return to work before the six months is up citing financial concerns as their main reason.
A quarter (27 per cent) believed they are too important to the running of the company to be away for so long.
The research also found only one in ten males are currently making use of flexible working practices and 30 per cent do not get support on the issue from their managers and co-workers - something that needs improving, according to Martin Lyne, director for small and medium business at Orange UK.
"Businesses need to address this demand or they risk losing valuable members of staff and future revenues," he remarked, adding it is "surprising" that so few employers are making use of flexible schemes, such as working from home.
Last month, a Trades Union Congress spokesman argued such practices help firms get the most out of their talent, as they give personnel a better balance between work and life, making them more productive when they are in the office.
Based on research of a thousand businesses, read more about how nurturing talent amongst your workforce will help you through the current economic climate. 
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The learndirect team