Flexible working: the law and best practice

Wood Innovations is an importer and distributor that supplies flooring solutions to trade customers across Great Britain and Ireland. With sites in Newry and Birmingham, the company employs over 50 people across sales, customer service, logistics, finance, marketing, HR and administration.

Edwina Flynn, CEO, explains why Wood Innovations introduced flexible working and how it has strengthened employee wellbeing, skills development, and business performance.

Why we introduced flexible working

"We introduced flexible working to improve employee wellbeing, retain and attract talent, and respond to shifting expectations following the pandemic. As a values‑led business built on collaboration, integrity and respect, it was important that our working practices reflected modern standards while continuing to support high performance, inclusion and teamwork."

"To ensure a fair and operationally responsible approach, we reviewed flexible working on a case-by-case basis, considering individual responsibilities, customer impact, and business requirements. In roles where a physical presence is essential, such as in the warehouse, logistics, and some customer-facing functions, flexibility is naturally more limited. This ensures that opportunities for flexibility are implemented equitably while protecting service levels and team effectiveness."

How we implemented flexible working

"We introduced hybrid working for eligible office‑based staff, combining remote work with on‑site presence, alongside flexitime for limited adjustments around core hours. These models offer autonomy and work‑life balance while maintaining collaboration, skills development and customer service standards."

"Operational cover remains a priority. Departments are structured to ensure the business is fully resourced on site where required, with managers coordinating schedules and capacity planning. Weekly team meetings and regular cross-functional communication support accountability, knowledge-sharing, and continuity of service."

"Flexible working arrangements are set out in our employee handbook and supported by our external HR partner to ensure policies are compliant, clear, and consistently applied. We also actively promote healthy boundaries around remote working to protect wellbeing and prevent overworking."

"With support from our health and safety administrator, we carried out home‑working assessments to ensure environments met appropriate standards. Staff were provided with equipment such as laptops, headsets and additional screens, ensuring remote work is safe, professional and productive."

Benefits of flexible working to our business

"The introduction of flexible working has delivered clear benefits for both employees and the organisation. Productivity remains strong, employee engagement has increased, and teams report improved focus, reduced stress, and better work-life balance, particularly due to reduced commuting and greater control over working patterns."

"Flexible working has significantly strengthened our equality, diversity, and inclusion outcomes. It has enabled working parents, carers, and employees with longer or more complex commutes to remain in skilled roles, supporting retention of experience and organisational knowledge. It has also improved accessibility for individuals who may previously have faced barriers to full participation in the workplace."

"Feedback from employee surveys shows increased satisfaction and engagement. Employees also report an improved work-life balance and lower stress levels, especially due to shorter commuting times and greater flexibility for personal appointments. Flexible working has helped us retain experienced staff and improved our attractiveness during recruitment, particularly for roles where hybrid working is now standard in the industry."

Recognition of our employee-focused culture

"We were awarded UK Employer of the Year (Silver) at the Investors in People Awards in London in November 2025. This recognition follows our Silver Investors in People accreditation achieved in July 2024 and reflects the strength of our people-focused culture."

"Together, these accolades highlight the impact of our flexible working practices and demonstrate how investing in wellbeing, inclusion and skills development creates empowered teams who consistently deliver high standards for the business and our customers."