Local businesses are being invited to join Hammersmith and Fulham Council’s IT-enabled flexible working initiative.

The Slivers of Time scheme, which was launched internally in December, uses an internet-based system to allow local people to sell slots of time as small as one hour ­ offering a route back to work for those with commitments such as childcare.

The concept ties in with a drive to provide better prospects for residents, said Hammersmith & Fulham Council leader Stephen Greenhalgh.

“Slivers of Time fits with our vision of the area as a borough of opportunity,” he said. “Some work is better than no work and the system is a perfect way for people to enhance their CV.”

Hammersmith and Fulham has been using Slivers of Time to hire people for 60- and 90-minute slots. Now the council wants to extend the service to local firms.

“Small businesses have particular difficulties with staffing when they need extra workers for short periods because overheads are high,” said Greenhalgh.

“Using Slivers of Time means that employers can get workers who are flexible and live locally without having to pay a huge sum to an agency,” he said.

Across the country, 40,378 hours have been sold through the system, at an average hourly rate of £6.97.

Westminster City Council is considering joining the scheme. “We are committed to developing a range of innovative recruitment techniques,” said Westminster human resources director Graham White.

“Slivers of Time offers a unique approach which we are reviewing as part of our overall resourcing strategy.”

To use the system, a buyer organisation selects a seller by clicking a screen. The seller is informed by text message of the potential booking and receives further details by email.