We believe flexible working can increase staff motivation, promote work-life balance, reduce employee stress and improve performance and productivity. We offer a variety of flexible work options including part-time work, time off for dependants, caring, and career breaks.
As indicated in My Changing Life on RE World, “Life is a series of events. How can Reed Elsevier help?” Our businesses offer staff access to support services. For example, in the UK the Employee Assistance Programme is a free confidential help line and counselling agency that offers a number of services, including personal, legal, financial, tax and relationship advice. The service operates 24 hours a day throughout the year and is available to all employees and their immediate families.
We provide positive social outlets for staff to engage with one another through social committees and the Reed Elsevier Cares community programme – with a frequent overlap between the two. For example, colleagues at Elsevier, LexisNexis, and Reed Business Information in Singapore have worked over many years in support of Melrose Children’s Home, encouraging young people to pursue educational success through an academic medals programme and, in 2008, continued onsite workshops, games, and meals.
We are pleased when our efforts in valuing our people are recognised. In 2008, Totaljobs, part of Reed Business Information, was named one of the 50 Best Workplaces in the UK by the Great Place to Work Institute, which produces annual lists of best workplaces in 30 countries around the world.