Flexible working can be a ‘win win’ for the employer and employee

June 7, 2012 - PRLog -- Janette, who is the founder and managing director of Quay People in London’s Docklands, cites the example of an employee whose son is one of the country’s best ice hockey players.

“Being a flexible and accommodating employer can be a ‘win-win’ for both parties – the employee will really appreciate being able to support their child and, in return, you will get loyalty from them,” explains Janette.

Deborah Downing has been an employee at Quay People for the past 11 years. She says that without flexible working and an understanding employer she wouldn’t have been able to give her son the support that has helped him win a place in the England ice hockey team under 15s.

Deborah, a recruitment consultant, starts work at 9:30 and finishes at 3:30pm which allows her to take her 15-year-old son Sebastian to the station to get the train to school and collect him at the end of the day. Working from Monday to Thursday also helps Deborah prepare for her son’s weekend training sessions and tournaments – and recover from the week-night, late-night training sessions.

“Sebastian has training from 8:30pm to 10:30pm twice a week and twice a month has a training session that starts at midnight. Weekends are often spent travelling to tournaments around the country so having Friday off gives me time to prepare. If I hadn’t been working for a flexible employer, I’m sure Sebastian would not have reached the level he has,” Deborah explains.

Deborah says the fact that her employer is so understanding and flexible drives her to work very hard and fast and means she has become extremely loyal and is highly motivated.

Janette feels strongly that it is important to try to find solutions for staff who have unusual commitments like Deborah and also having seen Sebastian develop over the years has given Janette understanding of work/life balance.

“You need to see things from both sides and what is going to get the best out of people. It’s also important to think about staff retention – allowing flexibility means staff are less likely to leave,” Janette says.

Janette Withey owns and manages Quay People, a highly successful, independent recruitment service, tailored to the needs of London Docklands and surrounding areas.

Janette has more than 30 years’ experience in the recruitment industry and an innate understanding of Canary Wharf and the London Docklands. Janette previously worked as a senior manager for a national recruitment consultancy before deciding to go it alone with a more tailored service for clients and candidates. As a contributor to the area's growth, Janette is now Chairman of the London Docklands Business Club, part of the London Chamber of Commerce. She is known for her boundless energy and larger than life personality and has a close relationship with the business community and a good awareness of business trends in the area.

Quay People specialises in the provision of skilled administrative support for temporary, contract and permanent jobs. The company has grown dramatically over recent years identifying and supplying the skilled individuals essential to the development of the region’s most demanding and successful organisations. Clients, most of whom have been with the business since its inception, range from major corporates to SMEs, and include public sector agencies and borough councils. Candidates include those for whom East London is their home, and those looking to move into the area from across Europe and elsewhere; at present Quay People represent over 40 different nationalities.

ENDS

For more information contact Suzi Christie at Blueberry PR on 01435 830031 or e-mail suzi@blueberry-pr.co.uk

Notes to editors:

In October 2006 Janette was awarded the accolade of the Life Time Achievement award at the inaugural London & South East Recruitment Awards 2006, sponsored by The Recruitment and Employment Confederation. The awards recognise the achievements and potential of individuals and companies involved in recruitment, with the Life Time Achievement Award designed to recognise consistently high achievement within the industry.