The workplace has evolved at breathtaking pace since the pandemic, and hybrid working has been one of the best steps in that evolution.
Flexibility has been a benefit to employees, who enjoy a far richer work/life balance – and it can also benefit employers.
Giving staff more wiggle room shouldn’t be feared. Embracing flexible working enhances your workplace culture, which can help with recruiting and retaining the very best individuals.
Research backs this up, with team members statistically more likely to refer family and friends to a business with a good culture.
And it isn’t like flexible working is a rare offering.
Most British businesses now offer it in some form, shape or size.
So even before these Government proposals, it was here to stay – and so it should be.
It expands a business’ talent pool, opening it to candidates living further away or seeking a hybrid model, and to those that might not have been able to apply due to commitments in their personal lives.
At Talentheads, we’ve always embraced flexible working.
I’ve witnessed first-hand the enormous benefits it brings to my team’s culture, in terms of productivity, energy, engagement and happiness.
Gone are the days of missing big family moments because of non-urgent work commitments.
Staff no longer spend hours stuck in traffic, or spend Sunday night with that sinking feeling in their stomachs, arriving for work tired from the rush-hour commute.
They are fresh, engaged – and crucially – more willing to be flexible with their employer in return.
We have recently expanded and now have two offices – in Morpeth and County Durham – which have proven to be fantastic for meetings, brainstorming and team building.
Our workplace culture has undoubtedly benefited from ending the expectation of presenteeism that was once ingrained within business.
The proof is in the pudding; we’ve grown year on-year and, in 2023, our flexible workforce helped us deliver record turnover.
Remote work, flexible hours and the ability to impact schedules are major factors when considering job satisfaction, increased productivity, lower staff turnover and team happiness.
And Britain’s rapidly-evolving business landscape insists on cultivating an inclusive culture and a flexible and engaged workforce.
These new measures will benefit everyone and, like flexible working, should be embraced rather than feared.
Article featured https://netimesmagazine.co.uk/magazine/talking-point-finding-the-right-balance/
