The benefits of workplace flexibility for your organisation
You may have already heard quite a bit about workplace flexibility and the positive impacts it creates for an organisation. You may also be wondering why your organisation hasn’t caught up to this growing management strategy and implemented any flexible working options. If you are in this situation, you are not alone. A Galaxy study by software firm Citrix found that while Australians were eager to move from 9-5 work schedules, many employers were simply “talking the talk” when it came to flexible work practices. A survey of 1024 office workers found that most Australians did not have access to flexible arrangements, with just 44% on average enjoying the perk despite 72% saying they wanted it.
So why is workplace flexibility important and why are organisations slow to adopt it? While organisations have many reasons for not wanting to implement workplace flexibility, a significant barrier to overcome is the perception of working from home that exists in the workplace. Many organisations would struggle to trust their employees to be as productive at home as opposed to in the office, even though the benefits confirm its effectiveness.
Below are 5 key benefits workplace flexibility creates for an organisation:
Increased Productivity- Workplace flexibility gives employees a greater sense of control and wellbeing. This in turn results in more engaged employees resulting in higher productivity.
Less Employee Turnover – Employees working in rigid work conditions are more likely to be disengaged and unhappy in their roles. The resulting higher staff turnover will force organisations to spend more time and money on recruitment and training.
Improved morale – Employees who are able to balance work-life commitments tend to be more positive towards their job and experience greater job satisfaction.
A Healthier Workforce – Not only is flexible working shown to reduce overall absenteeism it also improves mental wellbeing resulting in a more robust workforce.
Employee Loyalty – Workplace flexibility shows that a company cares about their employees’ wellbeing. Helping employees to achieve their work-life balance reflects trust and respect which employees will view favourably and could translate to loyalty.
So how does an organisation interested in flexible working, go about implementing flexible work practices? Register now for a practical discussion about the leadership skills that will be required and the benefits of flexibility to organisational and team productivity and engagement.
Learn about how flexible workplaces will shape the fortunes of companies in the future. The shift towards new ways of working that will require leaders to be masters at managing flexible teams – a skill that can be acquired and cultivated.
