An interesting report has shown us that small businesses are benefiting from flexible work hours.
The phenomenon of remote work has influenced our timetables, compacted our weeks and even offered us more paid leave.
Because we are always near our smartphones, we are forced to be continuously available. At the same time, employers are compelled to make adjustments in order to captivate new talent. One of these adjustments is flexible work arrangements.
Workers today need flexible working hours, locations and free time to engage with their family and community. These conditions are strong attractions for employees when choosing the companies they would like to work for. Most small businesses do not have enough information about this trend. The State of Flexible Work Arrangements is a survey based on hundreds of these businesses to help you strategize and stay ahead of the trend.
This report tells us in more detail, what incentives small businesses are presenting and which of these benefits employees are embracing. Below is an example of some informative statistics.
A large percentage of businesses are offering flexibility
Interesting to note that most small businesses are already offering different kinds of flexible incentives. This can involve a myriad of advantages such as free time for volunteering in the community, informal office wear, working at home or at coffee shops and flexible work timetables. This just shows that employers are trying hard to be less rigid in order to capture talented workers.
Work satisfaction is greater with flexibility
Not surprisingly, most workers are much happier when timetables are fluid.
Employees agree that flexibility improves their productivity
Not only does flexibility improve employees’ state of mind but it actually enhances their productivity. 78% of workers claimed within different degrees that flexibility contributes to productivity.
When assessing job proposals 77% of workers regard flexibility as a major contributing factor
Flexible work arrangements are welcomed by employees. This flexibility can be the determining factor whether workers choose which company to work for.
More than half of employees claimed that there was no flexibility in their workplace. Some said that they would have to approach individual managers’ to request this proposed stratagem.
This could influence work satisfaction as sometimes employees are simply unaware that this policy is an option.
Over 30 % of workers would consider leaving their job because of lack of flexibility with their timetables.
The lack of a flexible arrangement for workers can lead to those workers admitting they would consider leaving their jobs within the next year. Although some were neutral, most were of the same mind.
Almost a quarter of permanent staff don’t have the tools to make these flexible arrangements efficient
Still, to make these arrangements work involves using efficient tools. 20% of employees admitted to a lack of these tools to make these adjustments work. Others were neutral.
Employers are obliged to make these fluid work arrangements work by providing the right tools. They need to be specially designed for the current work situation.
When looking at the entire survey, we can also see which initiatives are most popular, which leave agreements are working well and how different age groups are judging these benefits.
In conclusion, flexibility seems to be the key. In order to implement this, employers need strategies, advice and technology and employees need to know that these initiatives are available to them.
Contact us today to set up a meeting where we can discuss how using our Integrated Facility Management Platform will help your business to run more efficiently.
You can email info@alcm.co.za or call +27 87 286 6445