Claire Walker, co-executive director of policy and campaigns at the British Chambers of Commerce is urging UK businesses to embrace new ways of working.  “Flexible working can be key to cutting the skills gap and boosting UK productivity” she said.

Businessleader.co.uk reports that Walker, who was the keynote speaker at an annual conference held by HR specialist The HR Dept, said, “What is clear is that across the UK more people are working but they’re not delivering more. This means the UK isn’t getting the most out of its own people or their skills.

“We regularly hear, either directly or via social media, of talented, skilled workers who have been forced to seek roles for which they are massively overqualified for or which pay less because they want and need flexibility,” Walker said. “This often leaves people working below their skill base in part-time roles and it is not making the most of our talent or fulfilling its productivity potential.”

According to Walker, the restraint by businesses to adapt to new cultures least partly driven by fear of the unknown and a stigma that flexible workers are less committed to their roles.

“Flexible working retains talent and institutional knowledge, it promotes diversity and inclusion and it also breeds a positive staff culture which means employees are trusted and valued for the contribution they make – and not the time they spend in the office – reducing attrition,” Walker said.