'Engineering firms get flexible'
02/07/2008(16:05)
Engineering firms in the UK are more likely than ever to offer flexible working, according to new research.
A study by engineering consultants Atkins found that 48 per cent of UK firms now offer flexi-hours, with 63 per cent of respondents admitting that flexible working is a "fact of life".
It also found that 40 per cent of firms allow home working and up to 40 days annual leave are now being offered to attract employees.
Alun Griffiths, HR director for the Atkins' group, said that the new "flexible" arrangements can help women who "often feel they have to choose" between a family or career progression, "but this doesn't have to be the case".
"In the engineering and design sectors, the problem of skills shortages is very well documented and it is essential that we look to keep hold of as much of the talent we have nurtured as we possibly can," he added.
During June, up to 600 engineering and technical jobs were created by Jaguar Land Rover as part of a major recruitment drive.
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