Why is Flexible Work Arrangement such a success? 7 key reasons

While we enter a new era highly marked by The Great Resignation, employee’s satisfaction and well-being are the backbones of the future of work. Working at the office from 9 am to 5 pm and from Monday to Friday, is over. Work flexibility is reshuffling our professional environments but, what is it? What are the benefits of a Flexible Work Arrangement (FWA)? As a hot-desking software, we, at deskbird, keep a close look at this new trend. Here are 7 reasons why work adaptability is reinventing our ways of working.

Definition of work flexibility

We talk a lot about hybrid work models as they are currently playing a big role in the reshuffling of our work organisation. However, this is only a part of a bigger change that is happening called “Work Flexibility”.

This concept englobes all the aspects of this new trend which is 100% employee-focused. It includes flexibility in the schedule, in the number of working hours as well as in the workplace.

Flexible work comes from an increasing need to focus more on employees’ well-being.

The many benefits of this new organisational model encourage a rising number of businesses to switch to more flexible working conditions. Both employers and employees can see the advantages of forgetting the old traditional ways of operating.

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Productivity increase

For a long time, the idea of having a more productive workforce by letting them work from home did rarely even cross our minds. However, as the pandemic arrived, a lot of companies have been forced to let their employees operate from their place.

Leaders have then realised that not coming to the office is showing some advantages. It is allowing staff members to work in an environment with fewer distractions. Also, the time-consuming commuting has been eliminated, which reduces stress for employees and helps them to focus more and therefore, to be more productive.

Every person has different phases of concentration throughout the day. Flexi hours are giving the opportunity to people to work when they are the most focused. This is a win-win situation and it can absolutely increase the productivity level of your team. In fact, they may be able to tackle a lot more within the same or shorter period of time.

2. Stress level decrease

Many work-related aspects can affect how stressed your employees are. However, some of those anxiety triggers can be cut by opting for a hybrid model and flexible work structure. You may be wondering how can a more flexible workplace culture decrease the stress level at the office?

This can happen in many different ways. For example, the distractions some employees might have to face while working at the office can be a trigger of anxiety. Constantly being interrupted is one of them. Also, not having to run from meeting to meeting can reduce unnecessary pressure.

As ​​TUC secretary general Frances O’Grady explained in an interview with HR Review: “It’s in no-one’s interests to have overstretched workforces. People who experience high anxiety are less productive and are more likely to take time off.”

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3. Work-life balance improvement

Flexible work arrangement allows employees to create a better work-life balance. For instance, less commuting offers them more availability for their hobbies, for their family and for personal needs like resting.

For example, flexible working for parents is the ideal solution to improve the work-life balance in their lives. Balancing between their jobs, their families and all the rest can be stressful and have an impact on their mental health but also their productivity. By implementing remote work days within their schedule, you give them the chance to find a better balance.

From digital workplace to daddy mode, Gabriel Rath, New Work expert, keynote speaker, rapper and podcaster told us how to find work-balances with your family life and work, which gives you strength and energy.

4. Employee’s engagement growth

Isn’t employees who are happy and engaged in their role what every business is wishing for? Work flexibility shows your team members that you trust them and wish to empower them. This creates a feeling of satisfaction and consideration among your workforce. An atmosphere that is favouring employee’s engagement.

In the long run, succeeding in getting a high workforce engagement can truly reduce absenteeism and employee turnover.

5. Talent retention and flexible work arrangement

Last week, we shared an article about The Great Resignation which is currently happening and is reshuffling the future of work. An employee exodus reveals poor worker retention which is often caused by a lack of attention to employees’ needs.

Even though various reasons are causing this phenomenon, the need for a better work-life balance is among the main workers’ concerns. As mentioned above, work flexibility appears like a must to reach this goal. Implementing FWA practices in your workplace culture is a key solution to improve this aspect and therefore, retain your talents.

6. Cost reduction

The combination of office days and remote work has encouraged organisations to rethink their facilities layout. As fewer employees are present in the company’s buildings at the same time, less space is now needed.

For example, water and electricity consumptions are lower. Sometimes, even office equipment needs to be reviewed as fewer desks, chairs, computers and so on, are needed.

For some companies, renting a smaller workspace makes even more sense. In this case, they can also reduce their rental costs. For businesses that only require their collaborators to meet once a month, why not gather together in a coworking space and stop renting for good?

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7. Positive workplace culture

When willing to build a positive work environment, implementing a more flexible work structure within your company is definitely one to highly consider. As mentioned, among other benefits of working with flexibility, employees are less stressed, have a better work-life balance, increase their productivity level, are more engaged within their job position, etc. All this contributes to the result of a positive environment where people wish to work.

Work flexibility is going to shape the future of work as its advantages keep being proven. Among them, talent’s retention is going to be one of the main issues companies might have to face in the upcoming years. However, the lack of Flexible Work Arrangements is playing a big role in companies’ turnovers. As a business or an employee, what do you think about this new model?