'I couldn't have had three kids and a career with normal working hours'

Melanie Skill, a mother of three and a senior manager, works like most of us: a 40-hour week. But unlike most of us she is in the enviable position of choosing when she works those hours.

Ms Skill, 36, who has three young daughters, is an employee with The Training Exchange, a Doncaster-based company that offers management training to other firms. It has long practised and preached a policy of flexible working hours for its staff.

"It's been terrific. I could never have enjoyed a career and brought up three kids if I hadn't been given the option of working at home and choosing when I go into the office," says Ms Skill. "Being able to work flexible hours also made me more motivat– ed. As long as you complete your projects, you can do it how and when you like."

While most bosses will now view with horror the prospect of a flood of employees demanding flexible hours, Simon Pugh, chief executive of The Training Exchange, claims his policy has led to a much lower staff turnover and a 20 per cent increase in repeat business since it was brought in four years ago.

All of the 30 staff at The Training Exchange – which was set up 12 years ago – work when they want. However, they also have responsibility for managing their time with customers.

" Our staff self-manage," says Mr Pugh. "They can leave work to pick up their kids from school and return to work later. They can work mornings or afternoons, as long as they are there for the customer. Our staff turnover is very low and repeat business is 20 per cent higher."