Flexible work arrangements examples & the reasons why it is the future of work

Hybrid work might be a modern way of working that resulted from the pandemic, but, flexible work is not completely new. Some approaches existed before, such as job sharing or part-time opportunities. But yes, the forced remote work practices implemented during COVID-19 showed companies that their employees don’t have to be in the office to perform their job. The level of productivity does not decrease, it even increases. Many organizations choose to maintain workplace flexibility and adopt a new working model. So what are the most common examples of flexible work arrangements? Except for productivity, what are the other advantages of a more flexible workforce? Let’s dig into this topic, one that every business should care about!

7 most common examples of flexible work arrangements

1. Remote work

Remote work usually implies that employees don’t need to come on-site to do their job. They are free to choose if they prefer to work from home or a third workplace (a coworking space, a coffee shop, a park…). Although working remotely has some benefits, it also has some disadvantages such as a decrease in workplace connection or isolation, for example.

2. Hybrid work model

The hybrid work model is the perfect mix of remote and office work. Each business creates its own hybrid work policy according to the company’s and the employee’s needs. Workers can enjoy the benefits of working from home while still being able to meet their colleagues in person and work from the office when they want.

3. Flexitime

We all have different productivity peaks. Flexitime enables people to work when they are the most productive and also helps them balance their personal and professional lives. Some businesses require their staff to work on core hours, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., for instance. But then let them determine the rest of their schedule. Others embrace a 100% flextime model, simply requiring a certain number of hours and tasks to be done.

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4. Part-time opportunities

Working part-time also provides flexibility. It fulfills both organizations’ and workers’ needs. As a business, you hire a person for only the necessary number of hours. From an employee’s point of view, it can answer various expectations such as having more time off, being able to work when having specific disabilities, and so on.

5. Job sharing

Job sharing is the idea that two part-timers, or more, fill one full-time position. This system allows people to have a better work-life balance and ensures employers retain their talent. It is great to encourage sharing knowledge and gathering different abilities. However, this model requires great communication and collaboration skills.

6. Distributed work

Distributed work is the ultimate form of workplace flexibility. A distributed team often does not have an office to go to as they all work from different places and across different time zones all over the world. This is the ideal solution for both digital nomads and companies that aim to create a diverse and highly talented workforce without geographical limitations.

7. Compressed hours

Who wouldn’t like to get one extra day off during the week? This is the advantage that the compressed hours model offers. Instead of working 40 hours over 5 days, the time spent working is compressed into 4 days. Many employees enjoy this flexible work arrangement as it increases efficiency and gives them more time for their personal activities.

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7 reasons why workplace flexibility is the future of work

1. Employee empowerment

Promoting an employee-centric approach is crucial for organizations that want to succeed in the long run. Happiness and satisfaction at work are two core pillars for creating a positive work environment and bringing success. Both are strengthened by workplace flexibility. Therefore, adopting one of these models of flexible work is fundamental.

2. Better work-life balance

The greatest advantage of having more flexibility at work is its positive impact on work-life balance and everything that results from it:

• workers’ mental health improves;
• levels of productivity and engagement increase;
• employees’ expectations are answered;
• job satisfaction thrives;
• talent retention and attraction get better.

3. Recruitment opportunities worldwide

Flexible work arrangements remove location and time difference limits. Companies can hire talent living in Germany and another from Indonesia. Not only does this enable them to build an international and diverse workforce, but it also widens their chances of finding the perfect match for the position.

4. Office costs reduction

With more people working remotely, office space is being used much less. Your energy bills and the need for equipment decrease (BYOD policy), and moving to a smaller workplace reduces your office expenses. Employees are also winning by minimizing what they spend on commuting (public transport fees, fuel, car maintenance…).

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5. A booster for job satisfaction and workers’ retention

Work flexibility is one of the most important aspects for Millennials and Gen Z. More than 40% of the workforce are either Millennials or Gen Z, who are just entering the workplace. Therefore, fulfilling their expectations is necessary to foster job satisfaction and employee retention.

6. An answer to all generations in the workplace

Workplace flexibility suits everyone in a multigenerational workforce as it contributes to improving each employee’s well-being and satisfaction, no matter their age. Generation Z enjoys the perks of remote work and travel, Millennials take the opportunity of the compressed hours model to do more personal activities and Gen X appreciates the benefits of working part-time and job sharing.

7. Green practices increase

Flexible work helps bring more sustainability to the office. It can help organizations lower their carbon footprint in various ways. For example, they can act against overconsumption by providing only one laptop per team member and adopting a BYOD policy. It also reduces the energy usage in the office and the environmental impact thanks to less pollution from transport.

Not all of these flexible work arrangements examples are efficient for every business. As we often recommend, putting your employees’ needs first is what matters the most and what will support you in finding the right model of workplace flexibility. Request a free demo of the deskbird app to discover the perks of a user-friendly tool that helps optimize hybrid teams and workspaces!