Inspiring Scotland
Flexible and family friendly working makes business sense to Inspiring Scotland. It is intrinsic to its company values and as such is mentioned explicitly in the recruitment stage.
Employees are actively encouraged to think about how flexible working can benefit them. This allows the organisation to attract top talent, many of whom have taken a 30-60 percent pay cut to move from the private sector.
87 per cent of the small team (30 employees) work flexibly, including compressed hours, home working and non-standard working hours. Many employees are only in the office one or two days a week. Flexible working is the norm rather than the exception, and means that when people are in the office they are focused, but relaxed. Staff retention rates are significantly above the sector norm and the attrition rate is 12 per cent.
Of the five employees who have taken maternity leave in the last three years, four have returned to work in flexible capacities while the one non-returner moved to England.
Illuminating Ideas
- Enhanced maternity pay provides an extra £100 per week in weeks 7 to 39 of the maternity period.
- Portfolio working is supported for employees with additional working commitments.
- Employees are supported to attend special family events that arise during the week.
The Judges’ Spotlight
“Inspiring Scotland is managing a flexible working culture very well and to a high level. They have given themselves a competitive advantage over other organisations by creating a strong family friendly and flexible environment. They provided interesting employee case studies including one employee who is supported to pursue a secondary career as an artist.“
‘I am a father to young children with additional support needs. My flexible working pattern is fully supported; there is the same expectation of high performance but without a restrictive ‘9am to 5pm’ view. This has provided me with the ability to support my children appropriately and enjoy a rewarding job’.
– Arran, Advisor