16 Jan 2002
Scottish Secretary Helen Liddell today urged businesses across Scotland to bid for a slice of £5million of Government money from the latest round of the Work-life Balance Challenge Fund.
Launching the invitation to Scottish employers Mrs Liddell said:
"Rehab Scotland and the other 13 companies who have benefited from the Government's Work-life Balance Challenge Fund are blazing the trail that other Scottish companies should follow.
"The fund encourages businesses to help their staff strike a sensible balance between work and home life and can help tackle workplace problems such as long hours, absenteeism and high staff turnover.
"The Challenge Fund provides free consultancy advice for private, public and voluntary sector employers who want to introduce innovative working practices. Scottish companies cannot afford to ignore the benefits of adopting new, flexible ways of working. The benefits include increased productivity and morale, reduced stress and absenteeism, fewer disciplinary actions and improved recruitment and retention.
"14 Scottish companies have already received nearly £600,000 since the fund was launched in March 2000. That's an average award of nearly £40,000 per company. That money has gone towards improving the working lives of nearly 35,000 Scots, allowing them to manage their work and home responsibilities without undue stress and feel valued for themselves and their work."
Ian Welsh, Chief Executive of Rehab Scotland, said:
"There are recognisable business and social benefits in implementing work-life balance practices. Research has shown that improving employees work-life balance raises their morale and increases productivity, as well as bringing solid business benefits like improved recruitment, retention and commitment. We want to be an employer of choice and believe that the assistance offered by the Challenge Fund can assist both Rehab Scotland and firms across the country to recruit and retain motivated people."
Mrs Liddell added:
"In this fourth round of bidding we have made £4million available for projects, with up to an extra £1million for projects specifically in the IT, communications and electronic sectors as part of our drive to increase diversity and equality of opportunity in the hi-tech industries. Scottish businesses can find out more about bidding by calling 020 7215 6249 or by going to www.dti.gov.uk/work-lifebalance."
NOTES FOR NEWS EDITORS
1. The Challenge Fund provides free consultancy advice for private, public and voluntary employers who want to introduce innovative working practices which benefit their business and improve their employees' work-life balance. All projects measure financial savings, reductions in staff absenteeism, staff retention levels and take-up of work-life balance options by staff.
2. The total size of the fund for 2000-2003 is £10.5m, of which more than £4m has been allocated for the fourth round. In addition, extra funding of up to £1m will be made available to support proposals from the IT, communications and electronics sectors.
3. Funding is routed through consultancies to simplify administration for employers for employers. The Fund meets the costs of consultancy advice, tailored to the needs of the individual of its workforce. Twenty four consultants were selected through open competition to help the winners of Challenge Fund money.
4. Funds are allocated to organisations which best demonstrate:
5. Scottish Case Study - Rehab Scotland
Rehab Scotland is a Scottish charity which provides training and rehabilitation for more than 800 disabled or excluded people every year and is one of the organisations which was awarded funding in the third round of the Challenge Fund last year.
Rehab Scotland is now working with work-life balance consultants to develop policies which will improve the work-life balance of its 130 employees and help make the organisation an employer of choice.
Since being awarded funding from the Challenge Fund, Rehab Scotland has carried out a full review of its policies and working procedures and introduced a new management reporting system. It has also introduced monthly management meetings for the managers of its 19 services across Scotland and is working on a comprehensive management development programme. Contact: Ashley Lennon, Communications Manager on 0141 554 8822.