What is workplace flexibility?
Alternatively termed as ‘Flexible work arrangement’ and ‘work-life balance’, workplace flexibility is a strategy for adapting to changing circumstances and expectations. Employers place a higher value on employees who approach their jobs with a flexible perspective. Employers who foster a flexible work environment are also appealing to employees.
Workplace flexibility refers to the willingness and ability to adapt to change, particularly in terms of how and when work is completed.
Both the employee and the employer's demands are addressed in a flexible workplace. Employee retention and engagement are frequently aided by workplace flexibility. It can also assist a company achieve its objectives by increasing productivity.
How does workplace flexibility work?
Here’s how workplace flexibility can be implemented by employees an employers:
1. Flexible Employees
Flexible employees adapt their approach to duties based on stakeholder preferences and the particular demands of each situation.
Flexibility on the side of a worker could mean coming in early, staying late, or working on a non-working day to satisfy the demands of the organisation.
Flexible employees keep the company's goals in mind and work to attain them, adjusting their efforts to the current purpose.
2. Flexible Employers
Flexibility skills are also important when it comes to how management handles staff.
Flexible managers consider their staff like people and go out of their way to accommodate their preferences and demands.
One employee, for example, may require more structure in their job responsibilities, but another may do better working independently. As they focus on achieving the company's aims, managers will frequently need to change timetables and assign regular duties.
3. Flexible Schedules
Regular work arrangements that promote work-life balance, as opposed to one-time adjustments for unusual circumstances, could be referred to as workplace flexibility. Flexible times outside of the standard 9-to-5 are common in these job arrangements.
Flexi-time: Employers who have a flexi - time policy allow their employees to stagger their arrival and leave times as needed.
Telecommuting: Not every employee must (or desires) to work in an office; telecommuting allows them to work from home or a coworking space. They may work from home on occasion, such as during severe weather, or on a daily basis.
Condensed schedules: Instead of a five-day workweek, a condensed schedule spreads out the same amount of work across three or four days, allowing the employee an extra day or two off throughout the week.
What are the benefits of workplace flexibility
1. Make family time a priority.
A flexible schedule and working environment are required for family life. . EvenEvery working person has obligations. If employees have families, they may occasionally need to work outside the box. Allowing staff to take a flexible approach allows them to produce their best work.
2. Lower stress and burnout levels
Working in a traditional office setting can be quite
. According to research, increasing workplace flexibility is beneficial to employees' mental health. Companies that use flex-time arrangements see a reduction in stress-related issues.
3. Health and wellbeing
Workplace flexibility might even enhance employees' physical wellbeing. It s difficult to include daily exercise into a standard workday. Especially if one has to factor in time spent commuting to and from work. Commutes can eat up hours of an employee's day. Time for exercise is considerably easier to come by when people have a flexible work schedule or work from home.
4. Workplace morale
Allowing employees to work from home demonstrates that employers believe in them. Employee loyalty and office morale are directly related to feeling trustworthy. By doing so, leaders are informing employees that their needs are important.
5. Boost productivity
Exceptional work is the inevitable result of employee empowerment. Employees who feel respected, heard, and cared for are more likely to work harder. They love their jobs more, which translates to higher overall production.
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