Traditional office settings are replaced with flexible working hours, work from home, and compressed workdays. While it might seem like another fad, the numbers define the truth.
An astonishing 70% of workers believe that flexible hours of work would make their jobs attractive. At present, work-life balance remains the key benefit that employees seek from an organization. While it may seem to be impossible to achieve, one can do it.
The Harvard Business Review reveals that a startling 90% of all employees work for over 50 hours a week. Approximately half of them said they worked for over 65 hours weekly.
As a result, such stressful patterns of work are often nerve-wracking.
What is Flexible Work Hour?
Flexible work hours are not slacking off deadlines or not being punctual. Instead, it permits employees to choose their work hours, location, and environment so that they can produce the best results.
It is also about striking a balance between the employer and employees. Employees can either choose to work from their homes, create their work schedule according to preference, and schedule workday as they want.
Employers often think that this concept is more apt for freelancers, but not always. Freelancers have flexible work hours. However, the modern concept includes part-time work, fully remote teams, work from home, compressed workweeks, temporary work, alternative job schedules, seasonal jobs, and gig work.
A flexible schedule of work allows employees to choose their time of work and increase productivity while reducing burnout. As a result, it benefits companies. Following a flexible schedule is much easier with new virtual team software.
Benefits of Flexible Work Hours
If you have a business but are still unsure about making the workplace flexible, note the benefits of a flexible schedule of work that could help you out of the confusion:
Increased Productivity:
When you offer a flexible schedule to your team, it increases productivity. The report shows that 60% of all HR directors noticed a steady rise in work output or productivity. So, the myth that people cannot work from the comfort of their homes or follow a flexible schedule can be turned off.
According to a survey conducted in 2019 on remote workers, it was deduced that flexible workers work for 1.4 days more every month when compared to office workers.
This translates into 16.8 extra workdays annually. Moreover, in-office workers face a lot of workplace distractions of approximately 37 minutes daily against 27 minutes of daily work of remote workers. Furthermore, when workers follow a flexible work environment, the leaders and managers are compelled to evaluate employees on things that matter against their physical presence in the office. As a result, it facilitates result-oriented work culture, which emphasizes the strong impact and helps businesses thrive.
Loyal Employees:
When a company allows employees to maintain a flexible schedule, it also helps retain staff and loyal employees. Undoubtedly, flexible schedules can be the most vital perks for employees.
According to a survey conducted in 2018, it was found that 80% of workers choose a role/job offering the option to have a flexible schedule over others that don’t. 30% agreed that they feel a flexible work schedule is more important than vacation time. Another 35% admitted that flexible work is extremely important for them and they prioritize it over having a prestigious position or title.
A 2019 study reveals that 30% of participants quit their jobs due to inflexible work options, whereas 16% hunted for new positions because of a lack of options for flexible working hours.
80% of respondents committed that they are more likely to be loyal to the employer if they are offered a flexible work schedule and 52% said that they tried to negotiate work arrangements with a flexible schedule with the present employer.
Flexibility is not only about custom hours of work but also about understanding that employees might have to work from home in certain unexpected situations.
Happy & Healthy Employees:
Stress is a gross factor that demotivates employees. Mental health is so important for the overall well-being of employees. The greatest facet that takes a hit in today’s employees is their mental health. A negative work environment harbors high stress levels among employees.
68% of people coping with inflexible work schedules report unreasonable demand at work, which leads to stress. When compared, approximately 20% of respondents having a flexible schedule at work shared similar feelings.
A flexible work schedule helps employees increase their levels of energy and improve the quality of sleep. Flexible workplaces also reduce emotional exhaustion and psychological distress related to the work-life conflict of employees, thus making them both physically and mentally fit. As a result, employees produce the more efficient and better quantity as well as the quality of work.
Easy Employee Commute:
Flexible work hours also allow employees to adjust the day schedule accordingly so that they can work remotely and from the office. The schedule further helps employees avoid traffic stress, typically during peak hours. If you have an office space in Bangalore, you would know how difficult it is to travel in the city during busy hours.
Studies reveal that employees feel in control and empowered when they work in a shared office space. In Bangalore, office space for rent provides the right professional environment to work even outside the office, remotely.
Conclusion
Several benefits of a flexible working schedule can create a better environment for employees. Introduce this change in the work environment to see the business flourish.