HR strategy and practice 'may need flexible approach for hiring top talent'UK firms that have the wrong attitude towards hiring procedures might find they miss out on some of the best talent available of the jobs market, one expert has said.

Mike Petrook, spokesperson for the Chartered Management Institute, suggested that flexibility and thinking about the terms of employment is the key for those in HR strategy and practice hoping to lure the best candidates.

Furthermore, he warned managers to not be too distracted by workplace bureaucracy and suggested they are best focusing on productivity of individuals including analysing quality.

"What really counts is the output, not the input. It’s not the hours that somebody spends at a desk or in their place of work; it’s what results they deliver," Mr Petrook added.

His comments come as a survey by recruitment specialists Hays revealed that many business are not introducing flexible worker schemes that could have significant economic benefit.

By Ross George