In order to empower employees, HR must introduce policies that create a flexible environment for them, say HR leaders.





Discussing the idea of flexible working at HR magazine's round table debate on the future of work, sponsored by BT Conferencing, Deborah Lee, HR director consumer and enterprises at BT Conferencing, said: "Discussions around flexible working cannot just be noise. Employers need to really focus on the flexibility question - flexibility is, after all, only worth doing if your business requires it."



But delegates agreed the workplace of the future would need to be more flexible with different performance measures, to avoid the problem of presenteeism.



Alan Warner, lead officer for communications at the Public Sector People Managers Association and ex-head of people and property at Hertfordshire County Council, explained: "Businesses are moving towards more flexible working practices and more virtual workplaces. But young people coming into an organisation will want to impress and could end up working too hard. There needs to be a measure in order to have the necessary balance."