×
First-time login tip: If you're a REBA Member, you'll need to reset your password the first time you login.
16 Aug 2016

How flexible working helps all parts of a workforce

You may have heard the hype around flexible working. And some of you might already be onboard with the idea – perhaps you saw how it worked for another company, or maybe your business operates 24/7 so flexibility suits the majority of your workforce.

B6E1-1471256275_flexiworkingMAIN.jpg

For some, however, the benefits might not be realised or it might be harder to implement. But following a recent survey from Economist Intelligence Unit and Aruba report on Mobility, performance and Engagement, that found 43% of UK respondents said flexible working is the top factor providing job satisfaction, it’s something that can’t be ignored.

How it helps the sandwich generation

Employees who look after an elderly relative while still financially supporting children are known as the Sandwich Generation. Caring for a loved one is not only emotionally taxing in itself, but it can also mean people are having to dart around, between work, home and a nursing home or hospice.

Giving employees the option to work flexibly means that they know they’re able to head out the door should anything happen. Spending time with elderly relatives is important too so being able to work wherever and whenever they need could make all the difference.

How it helps millennials

Changing technologies mean people can work from emails on their phone, to tablets on the train and laptops from bed whenever they want.

The Millennial generation are used to being digitally connected 24/7. Some people have their most productive hours in the evening, or earlier in the morning, so investing in your technology could mean you’re getting the best out of your talented workforce.

How it helps parents

Juggling the children’s schedule with your own can be difficult as it is, but with rising childcare costs, it could mean less time at the childminder or nursery.

Being able to leave early a few days a week to pick up the kids, or coming into work after the school run could really improve someone’s work-life balance. It might mean working a couple of hours in the evening, if the employee wishes, or staying later on other days.

Giving your employees that option to put their family first can help to boost loyalty towards the company, improving motivation and morale.

How it helps teams

For some companies, flexibility might work better in some teams than others. If there’s a project running with imminent deadlines or you have a call-centre department, it’ll be quite difficult to allow all staff to work whenever and wherever they want.

Collaborating with each team to discover what could work and planning around the individuals’ needs could help you optimise performance and give employees the right amount of flexibility they need.

How it helps commuters

Watching the news or tuning into the radio on a weekday morning, you’re bound to hear the familiar update of disrupted trains and the same jammed roads.

Starting the day sitting in rush hour traffic or having to wait in the rain for a delayed train or bus can set anyone up for a bad day, but if an employee can easily work at home, it cuts out the stress of the daily commute instantly.

Having flexi-time also means staff can avoid those busy times by coming into the office later, or leaving earlier.

While flexible working is a great bonus for a lot of people, it’s also important to remember that working wherever, whenever, can also form bad habits. Being constantly connected to emails can sometimes mean staff might start checking their messages when on holiday or at weekends.

Make sure management set good examples to their employees, encouraging them to switch off and step away from work to enjoy their downtime.

This article was provided by Unum.