eBay for time launched
by Hammersmith and Fulham Press Office
01/04/2008
Ultra-flexible working scheme launched at Town Hall
Officials from Chelsea Football Club, the Westfield shopping centre and Premier Travel Inn joined other business and community leaders from across the borough at Hammersmith Town Hall earlier today as H&F launched its brand new ultra-flexible working initiative.
The Slivers of Time scheme enables people with a few spare hours to market their availability to do work through a website - http://www.slivers.com/ (opens new window). Hammersmith & Fulham Council is now employing workers through the website and hosted the launch event in a bid to encourage some of the larger businesses in the borough to embrace the initiative.
At the event, attended by over 60 people, Council Leader, Stephen Greenhalgh, said: "The great thing about Slivers of Time is that it provides employment opportunities for people who may not want to work full time. The council is delighted that to help to launch this most worthwhile initiative here in Hammersmith and Fulham – the borough of opportunity."
Research has proved that many Londoners struggle to get jobs because of commitments like childcare, studying or health issues. In reality, these people have thousands of free hours a year. The ability to sell Slivers-of-Time allows people to enter the workforce on their own terms at times of their choosing. Workers list the hours they wish to work, which are then bought by employers.
Cllr Greenhalgh added: "It is important to provide these kinds of opportunities as things are going to get tough here in London. It is vital that the labour market responds in a more flexible way through schemes such as Sliver of Time."
Local employers like the system because they are able to engage extra workers for short-notice requirements rather than relying on overtime or muddling thorough understaffed.
Wingham Rowan, Sliver of Time's Project Director, said: "It was wonderful to see such a good turnout at the event and we are very excited to be aligned with the borough of opportunity. It is great that the council is acting as a catalyst for getting people back into work."
Rebecca Nicholas, Recruitment and Training Officer at Chelsea Football Club said: "We hadn’t heard about Slivers of Time before we were invited to this launch event and we want to see if it can be a benefit to us. If we like what we hear I am sure that we will sign up."
Beryl Foster of Standing Together Against Domestic Violence said: "We are a voluntary organisation that employs five full time staff but we are looking to increase our workforce though part timers. We try to employ women who want to return back to work and may have lost connections or confidence. We work flexibly with them so Slivers of Time could well be beneficial for us."
