TY  - JOUR
AB  - Purpose– This paper aims to explore the influence of flexible working on employee happiness and attitude, and the role of this within a high performance work system (HPWS).Design/methodology/approach– A case study of flexible working within an NHS Acute Trust is presented. A qualitative study is undertaken based on 43 employee interviews across a range of directorates within the Trust.Findings– Employees perceive that flexible working makes them “happy” and that there are attitudinal/behavioural links between this happiness, discretionary behaviour and a number of performance outcomes.Research limitations/implications– This paper presents a single case study with a relatively small sample which uses an inductive approach based on emergent data; it explores one element of a HPWS rather than an entire employment system. Respondents were volunteers, which raises the possibility of sample bias.Practical implications– There may be a need for organisations to focus more on employee happiness to encourage performance. HR practitioners could reflect on the impact of HR practices on happiness and which features of a job role are likely to promote happiness.Originality/value– This paper contributes a much‐needed employee perspective on the effect of HR practices, specifically that of flexible working, and explores the neglected employee attitude of happiness.
VL  - 33
IS  - 2
SN  - 0142-5455
DO  - 10.1108/01425451111096659
UR  - https://doi.org/10.1108/01425451111096659
AU  - Atkinson Carol
AU  - Hall Laura
ED  - Carol Atkinson
ED  - Rosemary Lucas
PY  - 2011
Y1  - 2011/01/01
TI  - Flexible working and happiness in the NHS
T2  - Employee Relations
PB  - Emerald Group Publishing Limited
SP  - 88
EP  - 105
Y2  - 2024/04/18
ER  -