In the early days of the pandemic, companies adopted new work practices out of necessity. Now, the value of flexible work has increased substantially among employees. “People are not going to return to work the way they have in the past,” says Kristin Kelley, chief marketing officer at CareerBuilder. “Flexibility is the new norm and expectation from employees—we’re going to see this trend continue in the months ahead.” To support the trend, research from CareerBuilder revealed that jobs allowing employees to work remotely received seven times more applications than in-person roles the previous month. And according to a study conducted by ManpowerGroup Solutions, nearly 40% of global candidates report that workplace flexibility is among the top three factors they consider.
Flexible work helps attract top talent, but it also makes employees more productive. In the Gartner 2021 Digital Worker Experience Survey, 43% of respondents said that flexible working hours helped them achieve more productivity, and 30% of those surveyed said that less or no time commuting allowed them to be more productive. Here are some reasons why flexible work boosts employee productivity.
The modern workforce is changing rapidly, with employees demanding greater flexibility and work-life balance from their jobs. Rigid 9-to-5 schedules no longer meet the needs and expectations of today’s talent. As a result, flexible work arrangements have become extremely popular.
Implementing flexible scheduling unlocks a wealth of benefits for both employees and employers. Below we will explore the many advantages of offering flexible work schedules and why they are becoming a must-have for attracting and retaining top talent.
What are Flexible Work Schedules?
Flexible work schedules allow employees to alter their typical work hours. Rather than being restricted to a fixed schedule employees can adjust
- Start and end times
- Total hours worked per day or week
- Which days they work
Some examples of flexible schedule options include:
- Flextime – Employees select their start and end times within set parameters
- Compressed workweeks – Working full-time hours in fewer than 5 days
- Telecommuting – Working remotely for all or part of the week
- Job sharing – Two people splitting one full-time role
- Part-time – Working fewer than 40 hours per week
The degree of flexibility can vary significantly depending on the position and organization But the overarching goal is accommodating employee needs while ensuring workflow coverage and productivity
Benefits for Employees
Flexible scheduling offers a number of important benefits for employees:
Improved Work-Life Balance
- Flexibility allows employees to better manage personal responsibilities alongside work, reducing stress and burnout.
- Employees can schedule work hours around caregiving, school activities, medical appointments, and other obligations.
- Having control over their schedule is hugely valuable for work-life balance.
Greater Autonomy
- Flexibility demonstrates trust and empowers employees to manage their own schedules.
- Employees can work at times that maximize their productivity and energy levels.
- Autonomy over schedule is linked to greater engagement and job satisfaction.
Enhanced Wellbeing
- Flexibility enables better health and wellness habits such as doctor visits, exercise, proper sleep, etc.
- Reduced commute times lessen fatigue and frustration.
- Employees report lower stress levels and improved mental health.
Increased Productivity
- Working at optimal times when focused and energized improves individual productivity.
- Reduced fatigue, distractions, and burnout increase work output.
- Time savings from less commuting add working hours.
Cost Savings
- Employees save significantly on commuting costs like fuel, vehicle wear and tear, and public transport.
- Wardrobe costs are reduced with fewer in-office days.
- Employees gain time savings from condensed commutes.
Recruitment and Retention
- Schedule flexibility is a highly desired benefit for today’s workforce.
- Offering flexibility gives employers a recruiting edge in attracting top talent.
- It improves employee retention by enhancing satisfaction and engagement.
Benefits for Employers
While flexible scheduling clearly provides advantages to employees, it also benefits organizations in the following ways:
Expanded Talent Pool
- Flexibility enables recruiting from a wider geographic range.
- It provides access to demographics who value schedule options, like parents and seniors.
- Offering flexibility expands the talent pool of qualified candidates.
Increased Productivity
- Studies show flexible schedules boost employee productivity and efficiency.
- Workers maximize their most productive hours and minimize distractions.
- Reduced commute time adds working hours.
Lower Absenteeism
- Flexibility allows employees to schedule needed appointments outside work hours, reducing unplanned absences.
- Improved work-life balance lowers sick days and burnout-related absences.
- One study found a 28% reduction in unscheduled absences with flex schedules.
Reduced Real Estate Costs
- With remote and flex scheduling, organizations can downsize office space.
- Shared workspaces and hoteling options optimize space for flex and remote workers.
- Lower real estate costs improve the bottom line.
Enhanced Continuity
- Flex schedules allow continuity of work despite disruptions like weather, emergencies, or other issues affecting physical offices.
- Remote management tools enable seamless collaboration and oversight.
Improved Resilience
- Organizations that offer schedule flexibility are better prepared to adapt to changing conditions and business needs.
- Continuity plans leverage flexible scheduling for smooth operations during disruptions.
Increased Engagement
- Flexibility demonstrates a people-first culture and commitment to employee wellbeing.
- It improves employee satisfaction, morale, and company loyalty.
- High engagement boosts motivation, innovation, collaboration, and performance.
Stronger Employer Brand
- Leading-edge benefits like flex scheduling build a stronger talent brand.
- It communicates an appealing culture to current and potential employees.
- A strong employer brand aids immensely with recruiting and retention.
Keys to Successful Implementation
To fully realize the many benefits of flexible scheduling, organizations should follow these best practices:
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Assess needs – Survey employees to gauge scheduling needs and preferences.
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Set clear policies – Establish clear guidelines and policies for flexibility requests, approvals and expectations.
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Evaluate roles – Determine which roles can successfully incorporate flex schedules versus those requiring fixed hours.
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Communicate expectations – Provide managers and employees training on policies, expectations and schedule coordination.
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Leverage technology – Use tools like shared calendars, video conferencing, and productivity software to enable seamless collaboration and tracking of flexible workers.
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Monitor and refine – Continuously evaluate schedule flexibility to ensure it meets business objectives and garners employee buy-in.
The Bottom Line
With profound advantages for both individuals and organizations, flexible work schedules are becoming ubiquitous in today’s workplace. They empower employees with greater autonomy over their lives while allowing organizations to improve productivity, continuity, cost efficiency and recruitment capabilities.
By taking a thoughtful approach to implementing flex schedules, companies can remain competitive in attracting skilled talent while enabling their people to thrive personally and professionally. The modern workforce is demanding schedule flexibility, and smart organizations are answering the call.
Flexible work allows employees to work more
Flexible work arrangements allow employees to work more during the hours they are most productive. In a survey conducted by Airtasker, remote employees worked 1.4 more days every month, or 16.8 more days every year, than office workers. And on those days, they were more productive. While office employees reported an average of 37 minutes each workday not getting work done, remote employees only lost 27 minutes of each workday to distractions. According to Lindsay Mustain, ex-Amazon recruiter and author of 7 Critical Resume Mistakes to Avoid, “Employees have been statistically proven to be more efficient when provided the opportunity to independently work when, how and as much as they like. Flexible options increase both productivity and the time an employee spends working. Remote workers put in more hours than their office counterparts and are even more effective than in traditional office settings with constant distractions and interruptions.”
Flexible work reduces turnover
Allowing employees to work flexible schedules can help retain valuable staff. Without a doubt, flexibility is one of the most important perks workers want from their employers. In fact, a Flexjobs survey found that 80% of respondents said theyd be more loyal to their employer if they provided flexible working arrangements, and 52% said theyd already tried to negotiate flexible work with their current employer. When your workforce is engaged, they spend more time on their work and less time looking for new opportunities.
According to a Gallup study, flexible work also drives employee engagement. Engaged employees are more enthusiastic, energetic and have better physical health. And, as decades of Gallup research shows, when employees are engaged, their performance soars. In addition, highly engaged workplaces claim numerous benefits like 40% fewer quality defects, 41% lower absenteeism and 21% higher profitability. MORE FROM
Advantages of a Flexible Work Schedule
What are the benefits of flexible working hours?
Employees working flexible hours often demonstrate higher efficiency and output as they work during times they feel most energetic and undistracted. 7. Cost savings For businesses, flexible scheduling can result in significant cost savings.
What are the benefits of flexible work schedules?
Increased productivity: Flexible work schedules allow employees to work during their most productive hours, resulting in higher output and efficiency. Employee well-being: By offering flexibility, organizations prioritize the work-life balance of their employees, leading to improved overall well-being and reduced stress levels.
What should employees do if they have a flexible work schedule?
Some employers extend guidelines for employees to follow, like regularly notifying managers of their schedule, making sure they work in the office on certain days of the week and promising to consistently meet deadlines. They may also address any questions employees have about the flexible work schedule during this meeting. 2.
What is the value of flexible work schedules?
Understanding the value of flexible work schedules allows you to see the positive impact it can have on employee satisfaction, work-life balance, productivity, and cost savings. Flexible work schedules offer numerous benefits, including increased employee satisfaction and morale.
