have a role to play? By coincidence, October 2012 also saw the publication of a report by Age UK, A means to many ends -- older workers' experiences of flexible working , which points out the potential for and benefits of this type of arrangement.? ? This report also draws attention to the risks public sector organisations might run if they allow the skills and expertise of senior employees to be lost at a disproportionate and unplanned rate to meet the need for expenditure reductions in the immediate future. It notes that, in the longer term, it is likely that these skills and expertise will have to be replaced.? ? Already, someemployers appear to be recognising that letting valuable knowledge, skills and experience go will have significant replacement costs when a sustained economic upturn arrives. They are recognising a route to safeguarding themselves against a future prevailing war for talent, using flexible working options as a way to retain the services of existing employees, as well as a way to attract the services of new ones. ? The Age UK report seeks to significantly extend the business case for using flexible working to retain older workers. The case for using such arrangements to help create a diverse workforce, which reflects the community it serves and evolves to meet customer and client expectations has been well made in the past, alongside the fact that flexible working arrangements, if jointly negotiated, can allow a better work -- life balance. This enables higher