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Sun Microsystems has dramatically reduced staff turnover and boosted employee satisfaction since the introduction of flexible working practices two years ago.
The firm's HR team found that employee turnover was reduced from just under 10 per cent to almost zero following the change in the office environment.
Mike Dunlop, HR director for UK and Ireland for Sun Microsystems, said the company had also achieved cost savings as a result of the initiative.
He said, "We wanted to adopt a working pattern which suited our workforce and their clients. Our sales and technical staff at the site are often away from the office, so flexible working suits them."
Staff can either work from home or use a smart card that allows them to log on to the company's computers in the building.
Sun Microsystems has introduced a reservation system on its intranet allowing staff can book time at a desk, which means two people can share one work station. Dunlop said, "This enabled us to consolidate lots of different offices and free space up. There was also the benefit of a reduction in costs."
The HR team found that employee satisfaction soared after the introduction of flexible working, with 74 per cent of workers happy with the changes.
Dunlop said keeping the 1,400 staff informed of the project was vital. "We had a big kick-off with managers and staff, 18 months before we introduced flexible working. We also had departmental meetings with staff so we could get their input on the project," he added.
