Since the pandemic, the world of work has radically changed. Of the many transformations that the office sector has experienced, the introduction of flexible working has been one of the most dramatic, instilling a new way of interacting with the working world.
Flexible working is now a top priority of employees, with over half of all employees around the world now working at least two days from home per week. This trend was largely catalyzed by the lockdown initiatives throughout the pandemic, giving workers and employers alike a taste of a more dynamic approach to the working week.
Yet, despite the popularity of flexible working from an employee’s perspective, many businesses around the globe are still hesitant to commit to this new style of working. In this article, to dispel those fears, we’ll dive into the leading benefits of flexible working, detailing exactly how companies can get more from their employees with this workplace shift.
Let’s dive right in.
What Is Flexible Work?
Flexible work is a dynamic approach to working life where employees don’t have to commute to the office every single day. The exact framework that a business uses can vary; one business might create a 50-50 approach, while another might allow businesses to choose their own hours.
At the core of this movement is a desire for more freedom. Employees who are forced to commute to the office every single day often poll with a higher likelihood of burnout, an increased chance to think disfavorably of their workplace, and less job satisfaction. On the contrary, flexible work gives employees the ability to optimize their time and focus on creating a work schedule that fits with the rest of their lives.
Graph to show the total market value of collaboration software between 2015 to 2026.
To facilitate this shift, the world is rapidly turning toward collaboration software, with the industry nearing adding 33% value in one year between 2020 and 2021. These markets are predicted to continue growing, demonstrating the fervent desire for more flexible working conditions and the tools to reach this change.
What Are the Benefits of Flexible Working?
When discussing the main benefits of flexible working, the vast majority of people tend to focus on advantages for the employee. Yet, while these are important, there are a number of benefits that the employer can also harvest from this new working framework.
Here are some of the leading benefits of flexible working, for both employee and employer.
Increased Job Satisfaction
One of the least surprising benefits of flexible working is that the average engagement and job satisfaction of workers increases. By providing people with more control over their own schedules, you empower them to strike a better work-life balance. Of course, with more freedom, people compensate by working harder during their working hours, missing fewer days of work, and performing better while at work.
Higher job satisfaction is a direct result of this more flexible style of working and one that can radically increase employee engagement and productivity while at work. Even if it’s only one or two days a week, this greatly increases the average employee’s control over their own lives, helping them focus on creating a healthier and more balanced relationship with work.
Improved Retention and Talent Acquisition
Another striking benefit of a flexible working framework is that employees are more likely to stay at a company that offers a flexible approach. Equally, businesses that openly communicate their commitment to flexible working tend to receive job proposals from top talent. The vast majority of job seekers search for a company that gives them as many options as possible.
By advertising flexible schedule policies, businesses can attract top talent and ensure that they stay for the long run. What’s more, employees are willing to take as much as an 8% pay cut in return for flexible working options, meaning that your business can obtain various worker benefits while also spending less on employment.
Boosted Productivity
Another leading benefit of flexible working is that the average employee will increase their productivity when working from home. Not only does eliminating the commute save employee time, but it also reduces their tiredness throughout the day. Equally, unless your business has office work pods where employees can privately work, offices have a higher propensity to cause distractions.
Due to this, remote workers work around 1.4 more days across an entire month, accounting for all of the wasted time in an office due to distractions, tiredness, or simply having to wait around for the day to end. For both businesses and employees, the increase in productivity from working from home is a powerful incentive.
Those who have a flexible work schedule are able to readily adapt how they work to fit their mood. Equally, as they can control their schedule to a greater extent, they don’t have to wait around for the day to end. As soon as they’ve finished their work, they can end for the day, boosting engagement at work and helping to motivate the average worker.
Final Thoughts
The world of work is moving through a period of rapid change. One of the most prominent and enduring impacts of the pandemic was the awakening of most employees to how comfortable a more flexible working schedule can be. Instead of moving directly to remote work, a more flexible approach ensures that businesses can keep all of the in-person benefits while appeasing their employees.
For workplaces that are looking to remain competitive and entice more workers into their sites, striking a balance by creating pleasant workplaces is a fantastic way of doing so. Businesses are increasingly experiencing a dual investment in improving their internal facilitates while also buying software that lets their employees work from home.
If your business is looking for a dynamic way of revitalizing your office space and bringing a new dimension to your workplace, then reach out to the team at MEAVO today. Our office pods are leading the charge to create exciting, multi-use, and comfortable offices.