According to a recent survey; “Survey on Workplace Flexibility” [Herman Trend Alert 23.2.2011], workplace flexibility is a highly valued and important benefit for employees.
How’s this for startling results from US employers:
- 98% offer at least one workplace flexibility program
- 60% use an informal approach – as in ‘up to manager discretion’
- 4 out of 10 companies say flexibility is culturally embedded
Importantly, with this focus on flexibility comes some very tangible benefits, such as reduced staff turnover rates and an increase in employee satisfaction, motivation, and engagement.
Be it compressed working weeks, part-time schedules, flexible start/ finish times to ad hoc work, flexibility is making a big impact.
As a business owner when reading a survey such as this, one cannot help but start making a comparison with one’s own company – which is exactly what I did…
Firstly, I can confidently confirm we have embedded being ‘bendy’ into the company culture.
From working mums on reduced hours and having car parks provided to make coming/going easier to 4 day weeks, flexible finish/start times, a tadpole programme over schools holidays [kids program], remote access for working from home, schedules that can be flexed – it’s all part of being in the Frog environment.
And yes, there is a ‘method to the madness’. In an industry that is notorious for staff turnover resulting in complaints and client churn, we enjoy low staff turnover, long-lasting client and candidate relationships, repeat business and continuous profitable growth.
And there is an interesting twist: this bendy culture of flexibility is appreciated by all, not just working parents. From an Ironman competitor needing to manage training commitments to a staff member attending weekly university lecture commitments, it’s available for all. And so it should be in my opinion, as we all strive to balance work and life!
Flexibility Requests
We continually receive requests from our candidate community, for flexible working arrangements when looking at career opportunities. This is not an exception to the rule as it once was; it is commonplace – and comes from all career levels. The most popular request is a 4 day working week and seems to have increased again in the early stages of 2011.
Whilst a gap exists between organisations who are in tune with this and those who are more rigid in approach, the savvy company that includes flexibility options when it comes to attracting hot talent into their organisation, stands out as being authentic, genuine and in touch with their people and their lives. And they are appreciated by their employees.
Our Advice
Given the importance being placed on working in flexible company environments plus the positive results that are achieved, employers would be wise to embrace flexibility as part of an effective Total Rewards Package.
