MightyRecruiterThe Benefits of Flexible Work Arrangements
Over 40 percent of the nation’s workforce holds a position where flexible work arrangements come into play at some level. Employers are taking note of the fact that employees are more mobile than ever and are willing to work from non-traditional spaces. Fortune 1000 companies have taken hold of this trend with gusto as studies have shown their employees work somewhere other than their assigned desk over 50 percent of the time. Nearly 90 percent of the workforce in the U.S. has reported that they would prefer at least a day or two of flexibility in their work week. Here are benefits of incorporating flexible work arrangements into your brand.
Keep Talent
Supporting flexible work arrangements means your company has a better chance of retaining talent that it would otherwise lose. Instead of having to accept the resignation of a person who simply cannot work the traditional full day schedule, you are allowing a compromise that benefits everyone involved. For instance, an employee who has recently added a child to his or her family may wish to spend more time at home or need to alter the work schedule in order to juggle family life. Offering flexibility means spouses and significant others can spend equal time sharing household duties, creating a balance between work and home. Those suddenly facing the illness of a family member or the need to become a caregiver to an aging parent also benefit from flexible work arrangements as it allows them to continue providing services to your brand while fulfilling caregiver obligations.
Global Applicants
The Millennials are not afraid to travel and the options now available to them when seeking flexible work arrangements are quite vast. The up and coming Generation Y employees are well-versed in technology with many more boasting certifications than ever before. This means they know how to work from anywhere at any time and have less interest in traditional positions. In the competitive market, telecommuting is a benefit, allowing the new candidate pool to seriously consider businesses that may be off the table otherwise. Extend the option to telecommute when the salary package is a little lower than a competitor’s to greatly increase your company’s edge with those who fear committing to a stationary cubicle.
Avoid Burnout
Flexible work arrangements can benefit businesses where job burnout may become a factor. This may be because of the demands placed upon employees or external factors in an employee’ life. For instance in one Colorado elementary school, two revered teachers faced having to leave their classroom due to one wanting to spend time with a new family member and the other experiencing health issues. Instead of losing two valuable members of their staff, the district opted to allow them to job share, with one handling the classroom duties of the morning and the other coming in for the afternoon. This allowed both to maintain balance and to give focus to the areas of their life that needed a little extra attention. The result A classroom of children who benefited from two well-rested, invigorated educators who were able to put 100% into the time they were at work. In addition, they now have a support system in place with another who understands the position and can offer a helping hand with ease.
Per Job Work
Not every piece of work needs to be placed on the plate of full time employees. In fact, many specialized projects can benefit from having fresh eyes of someone who comes in on a per job basis. Maintain a database of former employees for these tasks. Those who work contract positions or consult within the industry are also ideal to have on call. Utilize stay-at-home parents, adult students, and retirees for projects that are short term. If you have had to downsize in the past, take note of employees who can provide quality work and expertise who wish to keep a foot in the door. This allows you to sustain a positive relationship and maintain loyalty for when you hire again down the road.
Offering flexible work arrangements allows your employees the chance to perform the work based on the job’s requirements and is less about staying at the office for a certain number of hours. It is clear that the employer values their time, trusts their work ethics, and supports balance in their lives, resulting in a happier and more productive workforce.
Learn more about taking your company to its next level and how to obtain high quality talent by checking out the resources at Mighty Recruiter.