Identifying good practice in flexible working.

The article examines the outcomes when flexible working practices were introduced into four European countries. Three elements of flexibility, contract flexibility, working time flexibility and task flexibility, were examined. The effect of introducing flexible working hours on the relationships and responsibilities, among and between management, trade unions and employees, is analyzed. The case studies of British, Italian and Swedish companies provide some evidence of the emergence of particular practices in the introduction and maintenance of flexible working which are more likely to ensure that all three groups see it as a positive feature of human resource management.