Benefits of being a flexible workplace

In recent years, there has been a rise in remote work which has had an impact on finding staff.

More and more businesses are offering flexible work arrangements in order to attract top talent. While there are many benefits to offering flexible work, there are also some things to consider before introducing remote working arrangements.

The rise of remote work

There are many reasons for the rise of remote work, including advances in technology and changing attitudes towards work-life balance. Most recently, Covid has had a significant impact in forcing many businesses to transition their operations to remote workings.

According to McKinsey Global Institute, “The pandemic accelerated existing trends in remote work, e-commerce, and automation, with up to 25 percent more workers than previously estimated potentially needing to switch occupations.” (source: mckinsey.com)

The impact of remote work on finding staff

The rise of flexible and remote work has had a profound impact on businesses, which now need to adapt their workplace and find ways to attract top talent.

One of the biggest challenges facing businesses today is finding staff. With more and more people wanting to work from home, it can be difficult to find employees who are willing to come into the office on a regular basis.

Not only do businesses need to adapt their workplace to accommodate employees who may not be able to come into the office full-time, but they also need to find ways to attract and retain top talent who may not be interested in working traditional hours.

One way to overcome this challenge is to offer flexible work arrangements that allow employees to choose when and where they work. This could include offering flexible hours, working from home one or two days a week, or allowing employees to take extended periods of time off. By offering these types of arrangements, businesses can make it easier for employees to balance their work and personal commitments.

Another way to attract flexible workers is to offer hybrid work arrangements. This type of arrangement allows employees to split their time between working in the office and working from home. This can be a great option for businesses that need to have staff available during certain hours but also want to give employees the flexibility to work from home.

If you’re having difficulty finding staff who are willing to work flexible or remote hours, consider offering hybrid work arrangements.

Benefits of offering flexible work and hybrid work arrangements

There are many other benefits to offering flexible work and hybrid work arrangements, including:

Access to more talent

Businesses that offer remote working arrangements can often find staff in other parts of the country or even internationally. This means that businesses have access to a larger pool of potential employees.
Similarly, flexible working arrangements can help businesses to attract top talent. Offering flexible work hours or the ability to work from home a few days a week can be appealing to workers who might otherwise look for another job.

Increased Productivity and engagement

One of the most common arguments in favour of flexible working is that it can lead to increased productivity. After all, if employees are able to work from home or work during hours that suit them better, they’re likely to be more productive than if they’re stuck in a 9-to-5 job that doesn’t fit their lifestyle.

There’s also the argument that flexible working can lead to increased engagement from employees. If they feel like they have a good work-life balance, they’re more likely to be engaged with their work and less likely to look for other job opportunities.

Improved Work-Life Balance

Another big benefit of flexible working is that it can help employees achieve a better work-life balance.

This is especially important in today’s 24/7 world, where it’s all too easy to end up burning the candle at both ends and never having any time for yourself or your loved ones.

By allowing employees to work from home or work during hours that suit them, you’re giving them the opportunity to achieve a better balance between their work and their personal lives.

Attracting and Retaining Top Talent

In today’s competitive job market, businesses need to do everything they can to attract and retain top talent.

And one way to do that is by offering flexible working arrangements.

Many of the best and brightest workers today place a high value on being able to have a flexible schedule—so by offering this kind of arrangement, you’re likely to attract and keep hold of top talent.

Cost Savings

Offering remote working arrangements also allows businesses to save on overhead costs such as office space and supplies.

While there are some initial costs associated with setting up a flexible or hybrid workplace, such as investing in remote-work technology, these costs are often offset by the savings made in other areas. For businesses looking to reduce their expenses, flexible and hybrid work arrangements are definitely worth considering.

What to consider when introducing remote working

When introducing remote working arrangements, there are a few things to consider in order to ensure the success of the arrangement.

When introducing remote working arrangements, it is important to consider the technology needs of your business as well as setting clear expectations for employees.

You will need to have the right technology in place to support employees who are working remotely. This includes ensuring that everyone has access to the relevant files and applications they need to do their job.

It’s also important to set clear expectations for employees regarding communication and availability.

Plus, you will need to provide adequate training for employees on how to use any new technologies or applications they will be using while working remotely, as well as understanding cyber security risks and how to prevent them.

However, by offering flexible work arrangements, businesses can tap into a larger pool of talent while also increasing productivity, engagement, and retention among their employees.

With the rise of remote work, businesses need to be open to offering hybrid workplace options in order to attract and retain top talent. While there are some challenges associated with managing a remote workforce, the benefits far outweigh any potential negatives.

In the modern business world, there are many benefits to offering flexible work arrangements and the hybrid model of working, including attracting top talent and increasing employee productivity, engagement, and retention.

With the right planning and execution, businesses can successfully introduce remote working arrangements that benefit both their employees and their bottom line.