Half of Britain’s working population, 52 percent of men and 48 percent of women, say they wish to work more flexibly, according to a new report by the Equal Opportunities Commission.
The report titled “Working outside the box,” says 6.5 million people in Great Britain are wasting skills they could use more fully if allowed to work more flexibly, whether that be working at a level they previously did or by returning to the workforce.
Though the “skills drain” usually refers to working mothers, EOC findings show that it affects almost as many men as women and more non-parents than parents. “Working outside the box” warns that the current working model drives highly qualified workers into jobs below their skill level.
One in eight women with a university degree is working in low-level jobs and the proportion of graduates in high-level jobs is falling. People want greater control over working hours and location, instead of reduced hours, which usually leads to lower pay and poor prospects. In April, parents with young children will be able to request flexible working hours, but 60 percent of the people say they have not seen information about jobs where flexible working hours are available. “Work just isn’t working for many people any longer,” says Jenny Watson, CEO of ECO. “Far too many people burn out, trade down or drop out altogether. Millions of people are working below their skill level in order to have a life outside the office. Failing to rethink the way we’ve traditionally organised work is a chronic waste of talent and investment in education, at a time when Britain needs to invest heavily in skills to maintain its competitiveness globally.”
“Working outside the box” is the interim report released by the EOC as it continues its investigation into transforming the workplace. “Employers large and small must continue to innovate and equip themselves to face future challenges,” says Miles Templeman, director general of the Institute of Directors. “Having the best people, who are well-motivated, highly productive and able to deal with an increasingly global business environment, is vital. Innovative working practices have to be seen as a vital part of the overall solution.”