The Maltby workers are the only miners in Britain working formal flexible shifts after switching to six-day production at the mine. The survey suggest that for every two men unhappy with the switch, eight report an improvement or made no difference to their work, family or social life.

Maltby human resource manager, Tony Wood, said the results represented a snapshot of attitudes across a range of disciplines, including officials, facemen and outbye workers.

“While this is very much a toe-in-the-water survey, it does reflect a marked change in attitude by men, many of whom were opposed to flexible working, in the light of the experience they have now had,” Wood said.

“It’s quite clear flexi-working is not turning out to be the ogre its opponents had predicted.”

Some of the results:

Asked whether the new flexible system had improved their social life, 58% agreed or reported no change; 42% disagreed.

Asked if the new shift system allowed workers to spend more time with family, 58% agreed, 20% reported no change; 22% disagreed.

Asked if health and well being had improved, 88% agreed or concluded no change; 12% disagreed.

Asked if average earnings were better, 68% agreed; 12% reported no change; 20% disagreed.

Asked if the adoption of the flexible working system had provided more job security, 92% agreed.

(Two employees ‘strongly disagreed with all the statements).

Employees most often reported a dislike for the 12-hour Sunday shift. One employee suggested a revised roster which reduced Sunday hours but maintained the 120 hours machine-available time each week.

(Originally reported in UK Coal publication, NewScene.)