'Family friendly' boosts business

Nearly nine out of ten employers expect family-friendly policies to become more important in the next five years, a survey of the UK's big employers has revealed. The survey found employers recognise the need to help staff with dependent children and that they are prepared to listen to their staff and introduce more flexible working practices. The MORI survey, published last week by the Daycare Trust and BUPA Children@work, showed that employers regard flexible working arrangements as easier to implement than direct help with childcare, while almost three in four (73 per cent) of employers said cost was the main...