The women say that they concentrate better and are more productive and efficient. Lloyds TSB Lloyds TSB operate a flexible working policy through their Work Options scheme. This includes job sharing, variable hours, compressed working hours, teleworking, reduced hours and term-time working. The initiative was introduced to allow the financial services company's 77,000 staff to work differently, enable the business to retain skilled staff, and to attract new employees. Work Options is open to both men and women and to staff of all grades although application acceptance was not automatic.
Employees have to initiate the request and prove the business case for working differently.
The focus for a Works Optionee is on his or her output. Meeting business goals is Lloyds TSB's priority throughout. To be successful, flexible working has to be geared to the aims and needs of the business. This approach means that staff do not have to give a reason for wanting to work flexibly. The Freedom to Work pilot project allowed employees to propose their own working patterns.