A survey of HR professionals working at some of Cumbria’s largest employees has found that almost all believe making workplaces family friendly could help boost recruitment.

The survey, conducted by employment law specialists Baines Wilson, found that 82 per cent of professionals believed measures, such as flexible working, could help overcome recruitment headaches. 

Of the 95 HR professionals surveyed, 92 per cent said more needed to be done on the issue to help both attract and retained staff.

Despite the concerns, 76 per cent thought their own workplace was family friendly. 

A family friendly employer has policies that make it possible for employees to better balance family and work, meeting obligations at home and the workplace.

The results follow on from a previous survey by Baines Wilson which found that the skills and recruitment were their biggest concern among Cumbrian employers. 

Joanne Holborn, head of employment at Baines Wilson, said: “Last year our survey showed that 65 per cent of HR professionals thought that the problems of recruiting staff was one of the main challenges facing Cumbrian businesses. 

“This research highlights that creating a family friendly culture could help address this issue.      

“However, it is good to see that so many respondents say their workplaces are family friendly. This demonstrates that Cumbrian businesses are in line with the major UK firms in knowing that, to attract and retain the brightest and best, it is important to create a healthy workplace culture, creating a family friendly environment that allows for flexible working.

“And as businesses with staff over 250 report on their gender pay gap, creating a family friendly culture can also help address gender pay imbalances.”