Attracting … With flexible work schedules, employers experience benefits as well. Flexible working conditions and their effects on employee health and wellbeing (Review) by Joyce K, Pabayo R, Critchley JA, Bambra C, is a welcome addition to the knowledge base of flexible working. Work flexibility is a lifesaver for many employees, who would otherwise find it hard to manage work with study, family and other lifestyle and care commitments. After all, smaller companies are unlikely to have the same level of flexibility as their larger scale neighbours. As her email to staff explained: “The best insights come from meeting new people and impromptu team meetings.” Flexible working isn’t just good for employees, it is good for business. Advantages for employers and employees exist when the employer allows employees to work flexible schedules. Benefits from flex working are valuable for retaining staff. the benefits to the people. Flexible working - giving flexibility over where, when and the hours people work - is increasingly in demand but the number of quality flexible jobs falls well short of that demand. Being flexible with shift patterns, start and finish times, and the ability to work from home, employers will open the floodgates to a whole new workforce. You are sure that you can handle risks that would be associated with it. However, before making a flexible working request, it is important to consider all aspects of what’s involved. An Overall Summation of Flexible Work Arrangement Benefits: Just like we have discussed above, there are several advantages that come with flexible work arrangements. Scheduling: Now employers could show they are flexible with the schedule to benefit the employees and keep them happy. Evidence is not readily available that this is the case—in fact, much evidence to the contrary exists with either night owl or early bird personal choice yielding positives—it's simply cultural and preferential to a person's needs. googletag.enableServices(); I have known a lot of people who, though technically working part-time, in reality work far more hours in order to be ‘flexible… Flexible people are highly prized by managers and businesses. Different working hours and the extended use of technology might even mean your employer can offer extended hours, services or a greater range to clients or customers. This may help prevent the firm go bankrupt and protect jobs in the long term. Stretching your body to become more supple and flexible offers many physical benefits. Mostly I work over 5 days but, for example, over the summer holidays I will compress my hours and work a 4-day week. Receive more HR related news and content with our monthly Enewsletter (Ebrief). How Employees Can Readjust to Office Life, How to Optimize Productivity While Working From Home, Employee Work Schedules That Encourage Flexibility and Success, See the Advantages and Disadvantages of a Paid Time Off Policy (PTO), How to Implement a Long-Term Remote Work Plan, How to Negotiate to Remote Work From Home During COVID-19, How to Maintain Company Culture While Remote Working, Reasons Why Teleworking Should Be an Option for Employees, How to Find Work-From-Home Jobs That Are Hiring Now, Tips to Negotiate a Flexible Work Schedule, How to Improve Remote Team Collaboration and Workflow, allows employees to work flexible schedules, determine their own schedule and work environment. 61% of those with children (or plan … There are two distinctive sides to the benefits from having multi-skilled people within a company. Stay fit and young at any age by making flexibility one of your workout goals. Types of Flexible Working As a result, more and more people are working flexibly. Offering flexible work schedules will increase your ability to recruit outstanding employees. Benefits from flex working are valuable for retaining staff. Post coronavirus concerns, working life may have altered forever as employers and employees became convinced of the efficacy of remote work. Case studies Employee wellbeing. Earning potential can remain the same. googletag.defineSlot('/21798641100/Sidebar1', [[300, 250], [300, 600]], 'div-gpt-ad-1552319515893-0').addService(googletag.pubads()); We offer flexible work schedules, generous vacation, and holidays to spend with family or pursue your interests outside of work. We now live in a digitally connected global economy that operates 24/7. Employees can manage their time more efficiently if given the choice of working remotely or choosing their own hours. There have been some changes to claiming certain benefits due to the coronavirus pandemic. Overhead costs may drop when you employ remote workers. Employees who can also organise their work around their personal lives, interests and working … Neil explains that for employees, the benefits of flexible working are often focused on improving their work-life balance, as well as looking after their health and wellbeing. googletag.pubads().enableSingleRequest(); Firms will be more efficient and competitive. What may be more important to some, is the fact that flexible arrangements are making your employees’ families happier too! Some people take advantage of the flexibility and the ability to work from home. This will help you to approach your role in a more positive way which benefits both you and your employer, as you’ll look forward to work while the boss will enjoy the higher performance levels you’ll achieve in peak condition. Employees save money by having a reduced consumption of commuting time and fuel costs. If you have a great flexible work pattern, you are less likely to give this up. Is flexible working the answer? Family and friends can become upset when you say you can't watch their child, or let the repairman into their houses—because, after all, you're home all day. Let’s take a look at some of these benefits. If these employees are allowed to work from home, that saves two hours of time, gas, and wear and tear on the road. googletag.pubads().enableSingleRequest(); Flexibility improves alignment, … googletag.enableServices(); When you are working, it’s highly probable that there could be shifts in the dynamics of the work environment. In some areas, commutes of more than an hour each way are not uncommon. But did you know that by introducing flexible working to your business you can also enjoy a number of business and financial benefits? As more people become educated about the benefits of having and being part of a flexible mobile workforce, the traditional way of doing things will not only be considered unfavorable by potential employees, but also outdated and counterproductive. Flexible labour markets help keep costs down for firms. Of course, people matter, just as much as the company culture and processes do. }); Publication Flexible working benefits employers because it fosters better customer service and customer loyalty. The Pros and Cons of a Flexible Work Schedule. That in turn means employee turnover is reduced, as is the cost to recruit and train new hires. It doesn’t just work for those with caring responsibilities, it can benefit all groups of workers. Flexitime reduces the costs to your business associated with employee absenteeism, tardiness and sick leave. You might be amazed at how much faster a commute can be if you can drive to the office at 10 a.m. instead of at 8 a.m. during rush hour. If you have a great flexible work pattern, you are less likely to give this up. Employees can increase their leave entitlement through buying … As a result, a flexible workforce ensures cost effectiveness and more flexible employment opportunities, matching the needs of both employers and employees. From being a green company to having an edge in recruitment and improving diversity, the benefits of flexible work for companies can help your business stay ahead of the competition. Because for employees the benefits of flexible working are … One that many workers point to first is the flexibility to meet family needs, personal obligations, and life responsibilities conveniently. Flexible working: benefits for employees The main benefit of working flexibly for your employees is that it gives them the chance to fit other commitments and activities around work … This may lead to situations where they exploit the flexibility by focusing on personal stuff and relegating work to being a secondary concern, significantly impacting productivity. Flexibility to better meet family and personal needs, Have more control over your time schedule and working environment, Can work during the hours that fit your energy cycles best, Enhances company image as a family-friendly place to work, Difficult for office-based staff to work as effectively with telecommuting staff, Working from home may mislead loved ones about your availability, No clear dividing line between home and work, Some employees may not work efficiently without supervision, Compressed work weeks may mean client availability suffers, Feelings of unfairness when only certain employees have work that can be done remotely. It helps workers achieve greater work-life balance, leading to increased employee satisfaction and improved morale. The option also reduces employee turnover, absenteeism, and tardiness by allowing workers to flex hours around home and family obligations. The option also reduces employee turnover, absenteeism, and tardiness by allowing workers to flex hours around home and family obligations. More Employment Opportunities for Greater Talent Diversity In many workplace settings, it is hard to distinguish idle chit-chat from meaningful dialogue. If an employee requires structure, they may find it difficult to focus on work and not the household chores and entertainment. The environmental benefits of a flexible workplace include 1. a reduction in gasoline usage, carbon emissions, and air pollution. Collaboration in the workplace may mean the added benefit of a more flexible work schedule, as members are generally trained to cover for each other’s skills and strengths. Flexible working: benefits for employees The main benefit of working flexibly for your employees is that it gives them the chance to fit other commitments and activities around work … Buying or selling annual leave. Built-in flexibility also reduces employee burnout due to overload. Giving up some control of work schedules gives increased employee morale, engagement, and commitment to the organization. One reason people like to work for themselves is the control issue. Here are the benefits of flexible employees: Responsive To Change. She has covered HR for The Balance Careers since 2000. There is an opportunity for employers to do more to provide flexibility for the benefit of all employees and organisations. Benefits of … With flexible work schedules, employees stand to experience a good number of benefits. and cover topics including: Decision Science, Knowledge Management, HR Reporting & Matrixed Organisations. Employers struggle with fairness when only certain employees can work remotely. Flexible work environments are wholly enabled by a digital workplace – video conferencing and digital collaboration – and it’s a good thing for employee engagement. Flexitime reduces the costs to your business associated with employee absenteeism, tardiness and sick leave. This is why many employers require core days and core hours during which everyone is in the office or available for Zoom meetings. Readers noted the importance of being able to drop into a yoga class midday, or being able to maintain their running schedule sans a 4:00 a.m. waking hour. When you use flexible schedules sometimes that means work all of the time. The study tends to confirm judgements that many people have been making for some time about the benefits of flexible working. True flexible working puts you in charge of when you work during the day. If you have a flexible schedule, you can go to a parent-teacher conference during the day, take a yoga class, or wait at home until the washing machine repair person comes. Whole days working from home are not an option. With employer permission they can travel into work and avoid rush hour traffic, therefore arriving more refreshed. You need to make clear to employees that for all but a handful of jobs, working from home still requires childcare because you can't work effectively while also entertaining a toddler. 1. Five benefits of work-life balance ... whether it’s to cover moving expenses or gain flexible working hours. They want candidates who can thrive in a culture of change and continuous improvement, and can be flexible in the way they work and think. The freedom to bend and stretch counts for more than tying your shoes or mastering the tango. googletag.enableServices(); Benefits of Workplace Flexibility. When discussing benefits that employees crave most, the ability to work a more flexible schedule regularly appears at the top of many wishlists.What’s even better, this improvement can be just as beneficial and positive for employers. Remote workers can make neighbors and friends think you aren't actually working, thus causing problems with relationships. Flexible work configurations allow employees to work when they accomplish most, feel freshest, and enjoy working. In a recent survey by FlexJobs and WorldatWork, a paltry 3 percent of companies were trying to assess the importance of flexible work as it related to the company. Cloud technology allows workers to touch documents outside the office environment. A recent CBI report has found that while half of UK employers offer flexible working arrangements, only 1-in-10 job listings mention flexible working. Here at DB Charles, we think more work needs to be done to improve the understanding of how flexible working can benefit an organisation. There are business benefits too, ranging from greater workplace morale to increased staff retention. Best? In addition to flexible working conditions optimising the output of your employees there are a number of financial benefits to be gained from introducing flexible working. As Flexible working improves employee satisfaction and retention, the need to recruit new employees and the associated costs are diminished. The flow of projects and work may increase as employees are able to work when they accomplish most, feel freshest, and enjoy working. A boost to morale helps with levels of absence and can improve productivity. Where the policy follows the statutory procedures only, the full benefits of flexible working may not be realised. The benefits of having more time with one’s family are endless. Many employees view being offered flexible working hours as a sign they are valued by the company. What makes a person adaptable / flexible? Advantages of Flexible Labour Markets. Office-oriented people sometimes view their work-at-home colleagues as slackers because they can't physically see their activity and productivity. From spending more time with one’s children, to properly being able to create and facilitate a routine that suits the needs of one’s family, flexible work ultimately warrants more opportunities for more quality family time. Proctor and Stevenson uses flexible working plan to improve wellbeing. Most importantly, flexible working arrangements are inexpensive to implement and offer a quick, measurable return on investment in the form of employee output. Flexible working was brought into force during 2003 and already parents and carers benefit from being able to make flexible working requests. Any change of approach to flexible working (in the short or long term) may require a review of policy. On top of keeping employees healthy, flexible work arrangements help keep employees happy. Overall, the advantages generally outweigh the disadvantages and a good manager can handle the disadvantages. The result is two full-time jobs and incomes with no childcare costs. 01454 292 069   [email protected], UK Subscriber Assistance T 01454 292 060 [email protected]. Yet flexible working doesn’t have to exclusively benefit the employee. The sooner employers understand the importance of employee work-life balance, the sooner they will benefit from a happier, more productive workforce. 8. Flexible working is meant to support employees in achieving a better work-life balance. There are hidden benefits and drawbacks to flexible working arrangements, new research from employment adviser Acas finds. How Collaborative Technology Can Revive Internal Communication For Remote Workers, 2021 will be “a year of movement”, despite pandemic, Lockdown appears to have improved employer/employee communications, HR Director – Hospitality business up to, £100,000 – £110,000 pl, HR teams must deliver a consistent employee experience during a time of uncertainty, Leaders self-medicating with alcohol and substances on the rise, Why you should always be prepared for a payroll audit, How your people data can help improve gender equality and diversity in the workplace, TALENT INTELLIGENCE IN A COMPETITIVE WORLD – Roundtable Report, Employers named and shamed for failing to pay minimum wage, Caring for employees amidst a Covid Christmas. Some work better in the morning and find that their concentration and motivation tends to become depleted by the afternoon, whereas other employees may work best from mid-morning to early evening. Using remote worker options, the business can hire workers from areas where hourly wages are lower and reduce their compensation overhead. googletag.cmd = googletag.cmd || []; googletag.cmd.push(function() { Flexible working reduces stress and fatigue; factors which may lead to employees losing focus and as a result, underperforming at their job function. Childcare costs may also be reduced. How can I tell what employee benefits are available? 10/25/2013 10:52 am ET Updated Dec 25, 2013 As I got ready to write a post in support of National Work and Family Month 2013, I reflected a bit on my own experiences with flexible work policies and my goals as a small business owner. Before we explore these benefits, let’s take a look at the various forms of flexible working that can be offered to employees. It helps employers stay active longer in the work day. The days of 9-5 being the normal working pattern are truly over. This can range from allowing staff to work different hours from the norm, to supporting them to work from home some or all of the time. Reduced overhead Hiring independent professionals for specific projects or seasons results in lower fixed employment costs by eliminating the price tag on health care and other benefits that full-time traditional employees require. These are the advantages for employers and employees that negotiating a flexible work schedule provides. 19. Care for your family We give you time away to focus on the people who matter most with leave for new parents and family caregiver leave. Improved competitiveness, such as being able to react to changing market conditions more effectively. Overall, a flexible work environment is beneficial to both employers and employees. Find out more Each year up to £3.5bn of Pension Credit and Housing Benefit goes unclaimed by older people. The Audit Lab creates culture of flexibility for working parents. A recent study carried out by Investors in People revealed that 31% of employees polled would rather avail of flexible working arrangements, such as working from home, rather than take a pay rise. If I have a school play or a parent’s consultation I can just go without feeling guilty and knowing I can make up the hours. Some governments allow flexible working to be requested after 12 consecutive months of work under certain conditions, like being the parent of a school-aged child. By recruiting, retaining and optimising quality employees your business will enjoy greater productivity and success. Business Benefits Also, in team-oriented departments, teams still need to meet, which requires set guidelines and the juggling of schedules. For starters, telecommuting (i.e. Teams that work well together are, therefore, essential in improving service and meeting the needs of customers. Managing a fragmented and isolated workforce during this winter is a big concern. Other types of flexible working include Job sharing, part time, annualised hours and staggered hours. Here, Sarah McCarthy highlights 10 benefits that employers commonly offer in a flex scheme. ACAS will be developing a Code of Practice on flexible working to support the new law. In addition to flexible working conditions optimising the output of your employees there are a number of financial benefits to be gained from introducing flexible working. By allowing your employees to work at home, or work fewer hours overall, they spend less time commuting. Radioactive PR boosted work-life balance with four-day working week. googletag.cmd.push(function() { Improved diversity. 7. googletag.defineSlot('/21798641100/Sidebar2', [[300, 250], [300, 600]], 'div-gpt-ad-1552319564911-0').addService(googletag.pubads()); Working arrangements, only 1-in-10 job listings mention flexible working Practices to the organization the choice of working or. 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