How the ever-increasing accessibility of technology is allowing us to work more flexibly
The ever-increasing accessibility of technology is allowing us to work wherever and whenever instead of maintaining the rigidity of the nine-to-five work model. Whilst this seems a futuristic ideal, the fact is flexible working ought to be a more present reality.
Whilst the Government has said flexible working is a right for employees to ask their employers, it would appear, as yet, not enough companies are recognising this requirement. In this post we aim to highlight why we believe the future of productivity in the workforce lies in flexible working for employees.
Presenteeism is long considered the norm in most industries and companies. However, the collaborative working technology available means that remote working is very possible. Pamela Walkden, the Group Head at Standard Chartered, has introduced flexible working to ensure that employees cn pursue both their professional and personal endeavours, whilst providing the best service to clients. Having taken note that the inflexibility of the nine-to-five regime can actually hurt productivity and have a negative impact on employee health, the implementation of flexible working means there is better staff retention and employee
Furthermore a recent study has found that the UK lags behind the global flexible working initiative. Oliver Watson, Executive Board Director for UK and North America at PageGroup says, “For flexible working to really move forward in the UK, employers must shift their thinking from presenteeism to productivity. By empowering employees to take charge of their productivity…businesses will not only be rewarded with increased employee loyalty, but a much more efficient workforce and a high trust, high performance culture”.
Flexible working has long been associated with mothers returning to work from maternity leave but it is also for fathers, as we have written . Flexible working suits families. Kirsty Hulse is the Founder and MD of ManyMinds Digital has recently said that "flexibility and family go hand in hand", to the extent that her business facilitates the employees to spend more time with their family, less time commuting and therefore delivering great work for their clients.
However, flexible working is not just for families but also employees without children, those with extracurricular activities, which does not fit the typical 9-5 work structure, and lastly the ever increasing millennials entering the workforce. Mr Watson, has further said: “Placing restrictions on flexible working – encouraging or excluding certain employees – is counter-intuitive. Truly flexible working should be open to all, indiscriminate of age, gender, seniority or role”.
Millenials (18-27) are entering the workforce at a remarkable rate and most view flexible working as an essential factor when looking for a job. However the reality is the majority of millenials see flexible working as a ‘selective benefit’ for a choice group of employees. Mr Watson, at PageGroup says, “There is a clear and increasing demand for flexible working options among UK employees, especially from the newest generation of workers. As this “Generation FL-X” continues to enter the workplace, businesses must prioritise accommodating the expectations of all employees, and challenge old school stigma that still appears to prevail.
Flexible working is the future and job-sharing is an avenue to take. For further information on getting your company registered to offer job-sharing or, indeed, if you are looking for a role with job-sharing benefits please do get in touch, we’d love to hear from you.
