Leon introduces 'parent-shifts' to promote flexible working

By Sophie Witts

- Last updated on GMT

Leon introduces 'parent-shifts' to promote flexible working

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Restaurant chain Leon has launched a flexible working scheme to allow staff to fit their hours around family life.

The group will promote ‘Parent Shifts’ to help parents return to work while juggling childcare.

Just over 50 per cent of the UK workforce currently has an element of flexibility in their job.

But only 8.7 per cent of roles paid above £20,000 are currently advertised with part-time options.

Leon has joined ‘Hire Me My Way’, a national campaign aiming to increase the numbers of high-quality flexible jobs in the UK.

Its goal is for one million part-time or flexible jobs to be advertised annually in the UK by 2020, around three times the current level.

Marco Reick at Leon said: “We know that there are lots of reasons why people want to work flexibly. Some are parents or carers, others are pursuing their passions. Helping our people balance work and home keeps them well. And that makes us happy.”

The restaurant group said that in the past year it had hired three senior staff on part-time hours, and would emphasise the policy while recruiting.

Emma Stewart MBE, Timewise Joint CEO, said: ​Leon has proved that they are not only a forward-thinking employer, but that they taking the lead in the hospitality industry by genuinely listening to people’s needs and advertising their willingness to discuss flexible working options from day one. May more restaurants and food chains take heed!”

Leon is set to create 1,000 new jobs in the next four years as part of plans to open 50 new stores across the country.

The chain secured £19m funding​ towards its expansion from OakNorth bank this summer.

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