Flexible benefits ''make sense for small businesses''

Offering benefits such as flexible working hours is something most small businesses should embrace, according to an expert.

The Federation of Small Businesses claims that the majority of firms in the UK employ fewer than five employees, so flexibility is vital to success.

Spokesman Stephen Alambritis said staff will be more productive if they have a say in their hours and using flexible working practices is a good way to ensure staff retention.

"Smaller firms have the autonomy to implement greater flexibility but as they generally have fewer staff than bigger businesses they need to ensure that whatever is implemented is open to all staff," he commented.

He said that around two-thirds of small and medium-sized businesses offer this level of flexibility, which can help firms become an employer of choice for those seeking new employment.

Mr Alambritis was responding to research by Warwick Business School which identified flexible benefits for employees as one of the six most important areas of focus for small firms.

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