The average employee in today’s workforce is constantly being pulled in two different directions: They feel overworked and burned out more often than not, yet struggle to disconnect from work when it comes to their private lives and family responsibilities.
Every day, employees report feeling:
- Stressed (50%)
- Worried (41%)
- Sad (22%)
- Angry (18%)
What’s more: 60% of employees blame their bosses for work-life imbalance.
Yikes.
As a hiring manager, is there anything your organization can do to instill a better work-life balance for your employees — without negatively affecting productivity?
There sure is: it’s a small but mighty thing called flexibility.
Industry-Specific Flexibility
As a local staffing agency who finds talent for a variety of clients, from manufacturing and light industrial to clerical roles, we’re here to tell you that it’s just as easy to offer flexibility in the office as it is at the plant.
For manufacturing and light industrial organizations, flexibility can look like:
- Flexible working hours
- Compressed workweeks (10 hour/4 days)
- Split shifts
- Shift swapping
- Part-time roles
For clerical and office settings, it’s even easier:
- Flexible working hours (outside of the typical 9-5)
- Hybrid schedules
- Fully-remote schedules
However, workplace flexibility is not a turnkey solution. The key is to develop a flexible workplace model that works best for your organization.
Benefits of Workplace Flexibility
When you allow employees to have more autonomy over their work schedule, there are multiple benefits for the employee and your entire organization. We break them down below.
Increased Productivity
When employees have scheduling flexibility, they are 43% more productive.
Why is that?
The reasons may vary depending on the job, but include:
- Reduced stress from the ability to schedule around personal obligations
- Working more during their most productive hours (which may not be the ‘typical’ working hours)
- A greater sense of urgency while in the office, especially for hybrid workers
- Happier employees (see below)
Healthier, Happier Employees
50% of workers feel stressed at their jobs every day.
When chronically stressed, you’re more likely to get sick and experience chest pain, headaches, stomach aches, sleep issues, and high blood pressure.
Additionally, employees who have children or care for aging parents are more likely to come to work sick, since they tend to save up their PTO for emergencies.
The good news: employees with flexible hours sleep better, feel healthier, and are less stressed overall. This leads to fewer illnesses and faster recovery time when they do get sick.
Builds Loyalty
If you’re among the 77% of HR professionals whose top priority this year is retaining top talent, you must consider flexibility as part of your retention strategy.
Employees who work for companies that value their personal time and don’t make them choose between work and family are more loyal. The data supports it: a whopping 80% of workers say they’d be more loyal to their employer if they provided flexible working arrangements.
Whether your employee needs to leave early, arrive late, or otherwise alter their schedule, your flexibility and understanding will make them feel supported, less stressed, and more loyal.
They will feel like they matter.
Widens Your Talent Pool
For hiring managers, limited flexibility at work is one of the greatest challenges in finding talent.
It’s not surprising when flexibility is important to 58% of US workers. It’s a benefit increasingly sought after among job seekers and employees, even rivaling traditional benefits like PTO, 401(k), and health insurance.
Being a flexible employer will attract more parents who need to get kids on and off the bus.
You’ll attract caregivers of aging parents, who may have doctor appointments and hospital visits to schedule around.
You’ll attract candidates from across the country who are incredibly talented and seeking a remote administrative or customer service role.
There are plenty of qualified workers who are often limited in their job choices due to no flexibility. But when you do give them the flexibility to work when and/or where it’s most convenient and productive for them, your talent pool gets a lot wider.
Saves Your Organization Money
60% of people reported being emotionally detached at work, with only 33% feeling engaged.
Flexibility is a way to boost engagement — and your bottom line. When you have a productive, healthy, and loyal workforce, companies save money by:
- Reduced turnover, which leads to reduced recruiting and training costs
- Reduced overhead costs
- 40% fewer quality defects
- 41% lower absenteeism
- 21% higher profitability
Time To Get Flexible
Flexibility in the workplace is becoming the norm for today’s workforce, and your company would be remiss to not include it as part of your overall employee benefits package.
Whether you’re a manufacturing company employing hourly workers or a nationwide call center who employs hundreds of customer service representatives, creating a flexible workforce is possible and beneficial.
Need Help Finding a Productive Workforce?
If you are looking for innovative staffing solutions that will help you reduce downtime, prevent bottlenecks, and keep productivity high, contact the Bonney Staffing experts.
You’ll have access to customizable staffing services and payment options and an established pipeline of qualified and reliable candidates.
We’re ready to help you unleash the difference great people can make!
