The Evolution of Flexible Work: Where Do We Go from Here?

This marks a vast shift in attitude towards flexible working and career design—with flexible working arrangements the expectation rather than the exception.

IEDP hosted two of the UK’s leading authorities on flexible working, Clare Kelliher and Sarah Jackson from the Cranfield School of Management, on the 23^rd February for a research-based look at the state of art in flexible working practices and to help us ask:

Where do we go from here? And what are the implications for managers and leaders today—managing flexible teams and leading organizations toward a culture of high-performance, inclusive and equitable flexible work?

The live virtual panel and Q&A session considered:

• The rising demand for part-time roles among managers and senior managers
• Research findings around manager experiences resulting in greater willingness to agree or offer part time working
• What does a ‘high-quality part-time role’ look like—what does the employee need, what does the organization need?
• The problem of career penalties—especially for women—and the lack of advertised opportunities. 
• The role of long hours and work intensification in driving demand 
• The need for ‘human scale’ design for flexible roles
• The importance of predictability of hours and income, including for lower paid and part-time employees 

About the speakers

Clare Kelliher is Professor of Work and Organization at Cranfield School of Management. Clare's specialist interests include the organization of work and the management of the employment relationship in the context of organizational change. She has a long-standing interest in flexible working and recently directed a major project examining the implementation of flexible working practices on performance, in conjunction with Working Families and sponsored by 7 companies. Her work in this field has been influential in shaping government policy and organizational practice. 

Sarah Jackson is Visiting Professor at Cranfield School of Management. Sarah has been at the forefront of flexible working research, policy development and implementation for 30 years, earning an OBE for services to quality of life and twice being recognised as a Top 30 influential thinker by HR magazine along the way. She is also currently Chair of PiPA (Parents and Carers in Performing Arts), Deputy Chair of the social justice charity Commonweal Housing, and a Trustee of Rosa, the UK Fund for Women and Girls.