Managers in the construction sector are being told to offer flexible working to keep hold of key staff during the recession.

Management development expert Mark Jacobs of The Mdina Partnership has praised the 57% of managers who already promote it to staff, according to a new survey.

Headsets manufacturer Plantronics found 57% of managers allow staff to work flexibly and 59% of employees would like to work from home.

"Offering flexible working is a smart way to keep hold of key staff for longer," Mr Jacobs said.

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"If you don’t have the resources to offer extra pay or cash benefits, more flexible working is the next best retention tool," he said.

"Once they are comfortable and have the basics right, people tend to stay in roles because their job fits well with their home life. A business that pays slightly less but offers flexible working is likely to have a better retention rate than a company with fixed hours and better pay."

In April this year, all parents of children aged 16 or under were given the right to request flexible working.

The ability to choose work hours and location tends to lead to reduced absenteeism and increased performance.

Mr Jacobs believes all employers in the construction sector should go above and beyond what is required by the law.

He added: "This is important in the recession. While it may seem that it is an employers’ market, you can’t afford to take the risk of key staff moving to a competitor when business is tough."

(PR/BMcC)