I now work a flexible 30 hour week, I keep tabs on how many hours I do a week but it is up to me when and where I work them. 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. var googletag = googletag || {}; Flexible working was brought into force during 2003 and already parents and carers benefit from being able to make flexible working requests. No clear delineation between work and home exists with a flexible schedule. For more information on how to strategically implement Flexible Working Practices to benefit your business, please click here to download our free Whitepaper. 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. Before we explore these benefits, let’s take a look at the various forms of flexible working that can be offered to employees. Employees can manage their time more efficiently if given the choice of working remotely or choosing their own hours. The option also reduces employee turnover, absenteeism, and tardiness by allowing workers to flex hours around home and family obligations. And this alone is one of the greatest gifts anyone can give to their business. Providing options can extend your hours of operation which is especially important for departments such as customer service or technical support. 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. 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. You’re the boss. Whether the flexible work schedule involves compressing work days, flexible daily hours, or telecommuting, challenges exist for the employer and the employee. Any change of approach to flexible working (in the short or long term) may require a review of policy. 81% thought it would help them be a better spouse, partner, or significant other. In an average day, the U.S. uses 391 million gallons of gasoline. Cloud technology allows workers to touch documents outside the office environment. Here are the benefits of flexible employees: Responsive To Change. 3rd September 2019 6:00 am 9th September 2019 10:16 am. Your employees will love you; the employer will benefit from the overall positive morale which is linked to increased productivity. Compressed workweeks can make client handovers complicated—clients expect service 5 days a week during business hours and can be fussy when a particular employee isn't in on Friday. Office-oriented people sometimes view their work-at-home colleagues as slackers because they can't physically see their activity and productivity. Similar to Flexitime, Working from home grants employees to have a better work/life balance. Some people take advantage of the flexibility and the ability to work from home. We know how it goes – meetings are where everyone has their say, but many of the best … Improved diversity. Flexible work is an added incentive to staff and a gesture from your business that they are valued, not just as employees, but as people with interests and obligations outside of work. Flexible working benefits employees with a better work life balance so that they have more time to spend with their families or undertake hobbies. 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. But did you know that by introducing flexible working to your business you can also enjoy a number of business and financial benefits? However, if a couple both have flexible schedules, one party can go into the office at 6:00 a.m. and the other can get the kids ready for school. The first thing that comes to mind when talking about a flexible schedule is obviously telecommuting and being able to work from home every now and again. googletag.cmd = googletag.cmd || []; Download the Salary Guide now. If you have a great flexible work pattern, you are less likely to give this up. One reason people like to work for themselves is the control issue. Flexible nature shows that you are confident in the work that you are taking up. 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Flexible work can help reduce stress levels, increase productivity, boost morale, reduce lateness and absenteeism, reduce employee turnover and enhance the image of being family friendly. 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. 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. }); Recruiting the recruiter How can I tell what employee benefits are available? The environmental benefits of a flexible workplace include 1. a reduction in gasoline usage, carbon emissions, and air pollution. Proctor and Stevenson uses flexible working plan to improve wellbeing. 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. Whether you’re a morning personor feel sharper in the afternoons, flexible working enables you, within reason, to be on the job when you’re feeling at your best. The most popular form of flexible working in the modern work environment is Flexitime or Flextime. Flexitime generally incorporates core hours that employees are required to work, but outside of these hours employees can come and go as they please. Benefits of Workplace Flexibility. If these employees are allowed to work from home, that saves two hours of time, gas, and wear and tear on the road. 87% of respondents said it would create more time to spend with family or friends. Flexible working creates better economics. If you have a great flexible work pattern, you are less likely to give this up. Flexible scheduling includes the ability to adjust the days and hours of being in the office and also allows workers to work remotely. Post coronavirus concerns, working life may have altered forever as employers and employees became convinced of the efficacy of remote work. Flexible working is a way of working that suits an employee’s needs, for example having flexible start and finish times, or working from home. Those who have other responsibilities or out-of-work interests may see flexible work arrangements as an absolute must or a deal-breaker for any organisation they work for. The survey found that: 1. Buying or selling annual leave. and cover topics including: Decision Science, Knowledge Management, HR Reporting & Matrixed Organisations. Attracting talent. 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