Contractors provide 'competitive advantage'

Including contractor and flexible workers in the UK's workforce provides the country's economy with “a significant competitive advantage”.

This is the view of David Frost CBE, former chief executive of the British Chambers of Commerce and the chairman of the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) Flexible Work Commission.

Mr Frost added: “With 2.6 million unemployed and the UK hovering close to a double-dip recession, it is more important than ever that we think critically about flexibility.

“Employers are adopting a more flexible approach not only as a temporary retention strategy, but as a permanent and sustainable solution to more competitiveness.”

Mr Frost was speaking regarding the inaugural meeting of the commission, which focused on the concept of flexibility in the workplace versus flexible employment models.

The meeting identified a key knowledge gap in relation to flexible workforces and the possible consequences of extended legislation on flexible workers and contractors.

After identifying these issues, the debate is due to turn in subsequent meetings towards ways of improving the situation for the benefit of both businesses and employees working on a contract basis.