Flexi days help to cut wholesaler’s turnover

Wilts Wholesale has reduced staff turnover and sickness absence and
increased sales with a series of flexible working initiatives.

The company used a DTI Challenge Fund award to hire a consultancy to look at
its working practices and suggest ways to improve work-life balance.

HR manager Ruth Pryor said the company had now introduced flexible working
at its head office, which has 140 staff.

She said, "We had a problem with high employee turnover because we are
in an area with almost zero unemployment.

"We introduced a scheme where our employees could take flexi days as
long as they did their core hours.

"Our accounts staff might work lots of hours during their busy period
but they can take more time during quiet periods."

Only three staff at its head office left last year compared with 15 in the
previous 12 months and sick leave had reduced from 6.5 per cent to 3 per cent.

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Wilts Wholesale also started a Saturday working pilot at one of its
branches, which has led to increased sales without increasing labour costs.

In addition, the company is to introduce home working for its IT staff.