IT professionals criticise industry attitude to flexible working

Nearly half of IT professionals believe the industry has not adapted to a flexible working culture, despite the fact that 61.1% of them work flexible hours.

That is according to a new survey from the IT Job Board, which classified flexible working as operating from home or working part time, flexitime or a four-and-a-half day week.

It found that 17.4% of IT professionals feel that flexible working has had a negative effect on their career progression, Online Recruitment reports.

In addition, 22.6% of respondents had considered going back to the office on a standard hours basis because of the challenges posed by non-traditional working practices, although the majority also saw flexible working as the second most important jobs criteria after salary.

Alex Farrell, Managing Director at the website, stated: 'With the current skills shortage in the technology industry, employers need to act now to encourage and retain talent in their IT departments.'

His comments follow a recent call from Carrie Hartnell, the Programme Manager of Intellect, for action to be taken to address the IT skills deficit in the UK.