Bosses wary of flexible working, experts claim

Although more firms are introducing flexible-working options for their employees, some line managers may view such practices as a threat to their job security, it has been claimed.

A round table of employment experts organised by BT discussed issues related to flexible working, including the potential that bosses are not keen to invite change into the office, Personnel Today reports.

The participants suggested that many people in management positions are used to a conventional management style and may be afraid of giving up control.

'Managers are afraid of losing their status, their big offices and their prestige,' remarked Caroline Waters, Director for People and Policy at BT, according to the news source.

Meanwhile, Philip Flaxton of Work Wise UK said that flexible working makes bosses fear that they will no longer be needed.

Research by the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform found that more female workers request the option to work flexibly than their male counterparts.