June 27, 2019

Bosses overwhelmingly in favour of flexible working

by Neil Franklin • Flexible working, News

Businesses that fail to accommodate staff looking to set their own work schedule in some way will struggle to attract and retain talent, claims new research from Vistage. The research suggests that nearly two-thirds (73 percent) of UK CEOs and business leaders believe organisations that fail to offer flexible working to employees will face a struggle to attract talent. More than half (59 percent) of respondents said they’ve already written flexible working options into standard employment contracts. A further 36 percent say it’s either something they’re looking at or would consider in the future. (more…)

June 26, 2019

Flexible working is the new measure of success

by Ben Chatfield • Comment, Flexible working

Professional bragging rights were once the preserve of top earners. Those with massive salaries, huge bonuses, and in some cases, even bigger egos. Money equals success – technology has shifted that long held view. Today flexible working, in terms of hours, location and role, has become an embraced reality and chief workplace priority. Technology has blurred the lines between work and life. The new “digitally native” workforce now expect a flexibility and access in every aspect of their lives. More than ever, work is seen as an adventure which is to be explored, rather than accepted. (more…)

June 21, 2019

Flexible office revolution shows no signs of slowing

by Neil Franklin • News, Property, Workplace design

The latest research from JLL, Disruption or distraction, where next for the UK flex market sector, claims that the real revolution of flexible office space lies in the variety of solutions now on offer and that the market has seen more changes over the last three years than the previous 30 combined as it continues to grow and evolve. JLL’s research claims that over the next five years more than 10m sq ft will be added to the stock in the key UK cities and flex space will account for over 8.5 percent of the total office stock by 2023. (more…)

June 12, 2019

Lack of flexible working risks talent exodus

by George Eltringham • Flexible working, News

New results from Wildgoose’s Flexible Working survey suggests that a significant number of UK employees are seeking out flexible working to better juggle life both in and out of work, without compromising productivity. The latest findings follow on from the organisation’s other successful insights surveys exploring diversity & inclusion and mental health in the workplace. (more…)

June 11, 2019

Over half of US workers offered flexible Fridays

by Marie Hillen • Flexible working, News, Workplace

This summer, over half (55 percent) of US employers will offer employees the option to leave work early on Fridays or take the entire day off. The new survey by Gartner claims that so-called flexible Fridays are an example of the sort of perks organisations are offering to gain competitive advantage in attracting and retaining top talent in a labour market which features record low unemployment levels.

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June 7, 2019

Flexible working held back by poor data

by Neil Franklin • News

Many managers still rely on gut feelings and inadequate or flawed data to make important but potentially poor decisions about real estate and flexible working. That is the main conclusion of a new piece of research by flexible workplace specialist Abintra. Published in a new report, the study highlights how corporations are struggling to manage office space efficiently as the trend towards agile and flexible working gathers momentum.

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June 6, 2019

Flexible working may not enhance productivity

by Marie Hillen • Facilities management, Flexible working, News, Workplace

The majority of office employees (84 percent) believe good relationships with colleagues boost their quality of work, yet nearly three quarters (70 percent) admit to not knowing the people they work with very well, claims a new survey from Nespresso Professional. The study suggests that changing office environments and flexible working practices are not improving employees’ relationships with co-workers, or their creativity and output. (more…)

May 22, 2019

The new normal of flexible work transforming workplaces

by Marie Hillen • Facilities management, Flexible working, News, Technology, Workplace

Digital innovations, and in particular, cloud computing is enabling increasing numbers of employees to work remotely and flexibly. This means the central company workspace is rapidly becoming an administrative hub, rather than a traditional central focus where everyone gathers during set hours. This is according to Condeco’s new research paper, The Modern Workplace 2019: People, places & technology (registration) which claims that 41 per cent of employers already offer remote working, while 60 per cent now allow employees to set their own flexible hours. (more…)

May 17, 2019

Flexible working for parents greatest challenge for SMEs

by Mark Eltringham • Flexible working, News

Paid leave for new parents is a financial and operational challenge for 90 percent of UK SMEs, according to the findings of new research into the challenges faced by working women and their employers. The first ever Women in Business survey also claims that offering flexible working and covering the cost and resource of maternity and paternity leave is an even bigger concern for SMEs, with 96 percent of board level executives saying it’s a significant challenge for their business. (more…)

May 16, 2019

Employers need to better understand flexible working

by Marie Hillen • Flexible working, News, Technology, Workplace

Employers need to better understand the needs of younger candidates, particularly that of flexible working, says Gartner, after its latest Global Labor Market Survey claims that a rise in Gen Z candidate’s regrets is leading to high turnover, low engagement and low productivity. According to the survey, 40 percent of Gen Z respondents reported that they would not repeat their decision to accept the job offer they had accepted and only 51 percent said they could see themselves having a long career at their organisation. More than one-third of candidates who regret their decision intend to leave their position within 12 months.

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May 8, 2019

People would take a pay cut in exchange for flexible working

by Neil Franklin • Flexible working, News, Wellbeing

Almost half of UK workers would take a 20 percent pay cut if it meant they could spend more time at home with their families, according to new research from www.Hillarys.co.uk. Over 2,000 workers were asked if they were happy with their work-life balance and almost two thirds (64 percent) stated they were not and would like some form of flexible working to help them. (more…)

April 24, 2019

Flexible working seen as top workplace benefit by workers

by Neil Franklin • News, Workplace

A survey of 1,000 UK workers by corporate gift suppliers Adler claims to identify the top benefits workers want to see offered as standard by their employer. Flexible working topped the list with half of respondents (48 percent) saying it should be offered as standard by UK companies.