Bupa’s group HR director Bob Watson believes the introduction of flexible
working policies are helping the company save millions of pounds a year by
reducing staff turnover.
He estimates that the firm has reduced staff turnover in its call centres
from 18 to 14.9 per cent and from 26 to 21 per cent in its nursing environments
since 1999 largely due to embracing family-friendly practices.
The national average for employee turnover has increased from 18 to 26 per
cent over the same period.
Research carried out in 1999 had shown that if the healthcare giant could
reduce its turnover below the national average, it would save £17m a year.
Bupa initiatives include flexible working, home working, job share,
compressed hours and term time working.
Sign up to our weekly round-up of HR news and guidance
Receive the Personnel Today Direct e-newsletter every Wednesday
In addition, a maternity bonus is paid to mothers to encourage them to
return to work.
These policies have also helped Bupa significantly increase the proportion
of women managers employed within the company.
