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5 reasons to incorporate flexible working at your company

Here at GradLink, we’ve noticed an increase in flexible working reports in the news. They range from job sharing and compressed hours, to working from home and flexitime. It’s clear that there is a correlation between these schemes and staff retention if you can find the right solution for your workplace. If you haven’t incorporated flexible working into your policies yet, here are six reasons to do just that…

1) Keeping up with the times

Companies are under increasing pressure to meet the expectations of a new generation of workers, but this isn’t a bad thing. Think what you may, but millennials are our future and they are bringing new technology and innovative ways of working with them. Recruitment Buzz suggests that “failure to embrace flexible working risks alienating huge segments of the workforce – especially amongst the millennial population”. If flexible working is more likely to attract these workers, then this is the perfect opportunity to jump on the trend.  Install the technology and policies you’ll need to make this happen.

2) Loyal employees

If you have employees working away from your central office, you need to be able to trust them. Rather than micromanaging, book in a meeting to discuss workflow so that staff know what is expected of them and when.  Today’s technology means it’s so easy to keep in contact by phone, email and Skype. If you’re used to face-to-face contact, there’s no reason this has to stop just because you’ve introduced flexible working practices. Reports from Forbes show that 82% of millennials said they are more loyal to their employer if they have flexible working options. By giving them this opportunity, you will gain employees who work harder and promote your brand.

3) Keeping costs down

Having a less rigid approach to working models can save you money.  Working from home or a hot desk in a shared office is going to keep costs down, meaning you can invest that money into other areas and protect your bottom line.

4) Finding international talent

Being open to flexible working practices also gives you a chance to look for talent in other countries. Brexit has left much of the UK in a state of shock, but flexible working could help quell the uncertainty and bridge any skills gaps. International talent is just waiting to be discovered.

5) Increased productivity       

According to a recent survey by Vodaphone, more than eight out of 10 employers and employees think that flexible working improves productivity. Having a better work-life balance is clearly becoming more important to today’s workforce, but what if working from home doesn’t work for you? Flexitime schemes are a good alternative, giving employees the ability to accrue time and take it back when needed for appointments and childcare. By giving them time to make their home lives easier, they’re able to work harder when back in the office and reduce absenteeism and presenteeism – which in turn, helps to increase productivity.

6) Happier staff                     

Flexible working can change how employees view their working life and instil a greater sense of happiness. By cutting out the daily commute they’re less tired and less stressed at the start of their day. Remote working also means they can adapt their day to when they are most productive, which can only mean good things for your business.

Flexible working can make you more appealing to new employees and keep your current staff happy – talk about an easy decision! If you want to tap into our bank of UK-educated international students for free, take a look at GradLink today.