More than 50 per cent of companies offer their workers flexible, family-friendly working arrangement but the rate of take-up is low, according to a report published by the employers' organisation IBEC today.
According to the organisation, the introduction of family-friendly policies is an effective means of attracting and retaining staff in the current climate of labour shortages and a "tremendous opportunity" is being missed.
In a statement IBEC called on the Government, employers and employees to work together on the issue of family friendly policies in the workplace.
The report's main findings are:
- The number of companies offering some form of flexible working arrangements is in excess of 50 per cent, however, the level of take up by employees is low;
- Labour Force Participation in Ireland currently stands at 59 per cent, however, there are significant differences between men and women at 71 per cent and 47 per cent respectively;
- Major reasons put forward for the low female participation rates are – lack of affordable quality childcare, skills deficiencies and unsuitable hours of work;
- Around one in three females throughout Europe work in a part-time capacity, the equivalent figure for men is 6%, and part-time work in Ireland follows a similar pattern.
