What is Flexible Working?
Published: 28/06/2019
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Flexible working is a model that accommodates the needs of employees. It can involve various arrangements regarding work times, locations, and more. In this article, we aim to discuss why it is crucial for employee well-being and company productivity. We are keen to introduce managers, managing directors, and business owners to methods for implementing this approach.
While some companies offered flexible working opportunities as perks long before the infamous pandemic of our era, more organisations have now adopted them as a permanent business model. These businesses didn’t make this decision out of necessity; rather, they did so because they observed that during the brief period of experimentation with this approach, it positively impacted staff well-being, consequently driving their productivity.
Companies that have fully embraced this working model are expected to thrive. Having experienced flexibility, workers are increasingly vocal about their willingness to leave their jobs if they are forced back into a rigid 9-to-5 routine. Furthermore, introducing flexible working presents an effective solution to various budget-draining issues, such as absenteeism and fraudulent sick leave. Workplace flexibility offers numerous benefits, which we will discuss in this article. We will also provide some tips on how to integrate it into your business.
Flexible working is primarily beneficial as it keeps employees content. Happy employees are recognised to be more productive, as evidenced by a study conducted by the University of Oxford. This study found that 13% of staff reported being more motivated to achieve results when they are untroubled. While happiness may signify different things to different individuals, it is human nature to feel it when one knows they are cared for. Providing flexible working is one way an employer can demonstrate their concern for the workers.
Whether enabling flexible work hours, a hybrid office, permanent remote working, or a combination, allowing employees to control their work rhythm will enhance personal performance. It allows each worker to tailor their day according to individual preferences, mental health, and family life. These aspects, along with others, might otherwise be overlooked in a 9-to-5 model. Such fluidity can also be advantageous in addressing issues such as frequent absences, primarily because these are often linked to childcare or home life challenges, transport costs, and various other concerns. All in all, flexibility is essential for your business to flourish.
Every person has individual peak times for productivity, and for some, that window falls outside the traditional 9-to-5. By offering your employees flexible hours, you enable them to adapt their workflows to their own work rhythms. In other words, rather than forcing themselves and risking burnout or procrastination, they can work during the hours when they are most productive, thereby improving individual performance.
Recent research from the CIPD, as cited by People Management, has revealed that a poor work-life balance is a significant issue for employees in the UK. Many employees surveyed by the CIPD acknowledged that their jobs hindered their ability to disconnect after hours, which adversely affected their family life. The research highlighted high levels of work intensity that directly correlate with elevated stress levels among employees. Just over two in ten (22%) employees reported that they always or often felt exhausted while at work. The same proportion expressed feelings of excessive pressure.
Work-life balance has been a highly debated topic in recent years. Achieving that golden mean is easier said than done. However, many employers across various industries are working diligently to promote it within their organisations. It’s a subject that’s finally receiving serious attention, which is good news. One conclusion drawn in the working world is that flexible working hours significantly aid in establishing this balance. Since employees have control over their hours, they can adjust their work time to when they are prepared to fulfil their duties. They are also able to disengage when their productivity diminishes.
According to Workplace Insights, over 39% of surveyed workers agreed that workplace flexibility positively impacts their mental health. This is hardly surprising, as it suggests that employees are not confined to a standard model that disregards their mood, needs, or difficult days. It is also readily apparent that rigid working models contribute to more frequent burnouts. This occurs because workers are treated more as a collective than as individuals with their own preferences and needs.
Some might argue that introducing flexibility may negatively impact office culture. For instance, in a hybrid office, some employees on the same team may never meet face-to-face. Additionally, when utilising flexible hours, two individuals who need to communicate might not work within the same timeframes. These and other scenarios can be avoided by carefully considering your flexibility strategy. Subsequently, communicate clear guidelines to your teams. Total independence may lead to chaos, but it can succeed if you have a specific approach, such as work hours being any time within the 8 AM to 8 PM window. Similarly, when employees are happy, they tend to have more energy and motivation to work, making them less likely to be grumpy and more willing to collaborate with colleagues. In summary, when executed properly, flexibility enhances office culture.
Flexibility isn’t limited to the hours your employees work, but also to where they can work from. Before the pandemic, remote working was a job perk that most companies wouldn’t utilise. However, hybrid workplaces emerged as restrictions were lifted and offices could only be re-populated with a limited number of employees. Although they initially served as a means to adapt, it soon became clear that this work model is here to stay. Many workers are determined to leave their jobs if the hybrid approach is revoked. It is, therefore, unlikely that the office-based work landscape will return to what it once was. Let’s discuss why this is a good thing.
At first glance, collaboration may appear more complicated when your staff work from different locations and have varying work hours. However, it has been shown that hybrid working fosters better collaboration with fewer obstacles. One reason for this is that flexibility necessitates the use of easily accessible software. This often serves as a tremendous centralised platform for real-time collaboration in the workplace.
This is why SaaS (Software-as-a-Service) solutions are so popular. Being web browser-based, they can be accessed from anywhere and any device, provided the user has internet access. Furthermore, they often come with a wealth of automated functions. This facilitates smooth task handover and enables partial to full automation of the entire process. Unlike workflows that rely on emails or calls, SaaS-based collaborations maintain a record of messages exchanged, edits made, and the individuals who performed those actions.
Furthermore, reversing these changes is straightforward if necessary. For instance, once an Excel file has been altered and saved, reverting to previous versions becomes nearly impossible. Multiple users can access SaaS platforms concurrently, and the workflows developed through them are constrained by the software’s capabilities and the user’s imagination.
SaaS tools are invaluable for team alignment, communication and collaboration, as well as for gathering and recording data. The workflows, particularly those that involve automation, are a treasure trove of insights that would otherwise remain inaccessible. Most solutions also feature sleek dashboards that present the collected data in a visual, easily digestible format. Therefore, you can select the periods you wish to analyse, specific areas of the business to monitor, and much more. Additionally, you can enhance your software by adding more layers of functionality. Whether achieved by utilising previously unused features or integrating with other solutions, the volume and depth of insights gathered will only increase.
The best aspect is that the data you record is very actionable. Depending on its nature, you can implement changes based on it and deliver immediate results. For instance, when you begin using Timesheet Portal, you may gain visibility into some of your staff members who exhibit a pattern of absences. Consequently, address this with them before it leads to financial harm for your business. Once you refine your strategy in light of the previously collected data, you are sure to start gathering different types of insights linked to the new plan, which will again provide you with further information that will enhance the optimisation of your business processes.
Flexible working isn’t a trend—it emerged out of necessity and has proven to be a far superior approach than the traditional office-based nine-to-five model, effectively replacing it. Both employees and employers have discovered numerous benefits of this innovative method, making it unlikely that we will revert to the rigid pre-COVID work model. That said, you should begin adapting your company to a flexible future now, as this will give you a competitive advantage moving forward.
Working with a variety of clients across diverse industries, we understand the true value of flexibility. This is why flexitime is one of the most valued features of Timesheet Portal. Our software is primarily designed for users to create and customise processes that cater to their unique and specific needs. Consequently, it serves as an excellent tool for companies embracing a more flexible approach.
Like other functionalities in Timesheet Portal, the flexitime module offers a range of features. These allow you to manage the level of flexibility that suits your business. From a flexitime pool tracker to time-off approval and configurable flexitime rules, we give you the reins as we guide the carriage in the direction you prefer. Whether you’re seeking a solution to manage flexible working hours or a platform to support a hybrid working environment, the flexitime module in Timesheet Portal can more than accommodate your needs.
Although once regarded as a pleasant work perk, flexible working has become crucial in today's workplace. This approach became essential for businesses to navigate the regulations imposed by the pandemic. The strong link between flexibility and employee performance and productivity has also gained recognition. The shortcomings of the 9-to-5 office cubicle model are nothing new, but we now have a viable alternative.
Furthermore, the promise of flexibility has now become a crucial factor in attracting and retaining talent. Having experienced the freedom to choose their working hours and location, workers now see flexible working as a necessity rather than a perk. Overall, the work landscape has evolved. Companies that refuse to adapt to these changes are unlikely to survive. Given that the disadvantages of adding fluidity to your company’s business model outweigh the advantages, we strongly encourage businesses to become early adopters. The sooner you embrace this new normal, the more you will stay ahead of your competitors.
Ready to begin? Our flexitime module is free to try.