6 reasons to offer flexible work options
By Kathryn FitzGerald
First of all, let me start by defining ‘flexibility’. The word ‘flexibility’ can be quite vague; the dictionary describes ‘flexibility’ as being able to bend without breaking. In the workplace, flexibility is about an employee and employer making changes to when, where and how the employee will work that is mutually beneficial.
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics’ last census, 1 in 12 people work more from home than from the workplace. Even the Federal Government wants to have 12 per cent of public servants working from home by 2020. There are certainly pros and cons to this scenario, so why should organisations embrace flexible work options? Here are my thoughts.
1. Attracting skilled and motivated employees
Flexible work options are particularly attractive to those seeking greater work/life balance, such as reduced working hours or working from home. This includes mature aged workers who want to extend their working life by remaining in the workforce longer, those with family/carer responsibilities, or those with study or personal priorities that affect their lifestyle.
2. Increasing your choice of candidates
With more candidates seeking part time and flexible work options, your talent pool increases as your flexibility does. Add to this, being an Employer of Choice can attract a higher calibre of candidates from a wider reach and network, for example, interstate or regional candidates if telecommuting is offered.
3. Retaining skilled, motivated employees
A change in personal lifestyle circumstances is one of the top 5 reasons employees leave their jobs. If an employer can offer modified work arrangements to suit, cost efficiencies can often be recognised in reduced turnover.
Reduced travelling time and cost; a better work/life balance and the ability to meet both work and personal commitments leads to greater loyalty and a reduction in unwanted staff losses. This can be a huge cost saving in terms of retaining knowledge, recruitment costs and re-training expenses.
4. Increased productivity
By increasing employee satisfaction, you will create a happier workplace, with greater teamwork and where employees are more flexible to meet the organisation’s needs. Employees are driven to work harder to ensure the business succeeds, resulting in increased productivity and greater profits.
5. Creating healthier employees and decreasing absences
Offering flexibility shows employees they are appreciated and that the organisation understands they have other obligations in life. This in turn decreases stress and leads to a healthier and more productive employee. Employees who are less stressed about meeting their job and personal/family commitments have a greater sense of well-being and fewer unplanned absences. Greater job satisfaction leads to a happier and healthier person professionally and personally.
6. Improved customer outcomes
More committed employees, greater employee retention and a better match between peaks and troughs in workflows and staffing will allow an organisation to more closely meet customers' needs, thereby improving customer service and retention.
The last word
Flexible work options are increasingly becoming an essential element to creating an effective organisation. It is simply a matter of weighing the pros and cons of offering flexible jobs for your company and determining which of your departments, jobs, and employees would benefit from flexibility. If implemented effectively, they create benefits for both the organisation and its employees.
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Kathryn FitzGerald is a Manager in Dixon Appointments' Recruitment Team. For further information, contact Kathryn at kfitzgerald@dixonappointments.com.au or call 03 9629 9999.