2017 is going to be a turning point for the UK because the number of companies offering flexible working arrangements will surpass 50% for the first time. In 2020, 70% of British companies should be flexible. These are findings of a recent report by The Work Foundation, part of Lancaster University. The study entitled Working Anywhere. A Winning Formula for Good Work? involved 500 managers of medium and large companies.
The growing number of companies with flexible work schedules does not, however, mean that these companies are able to use the full potential of workforce flexibility. A number of issues still need to resolved so that flexible working can be really beneficial for both companies and employees. More than a third of managers are concerned, for example, that when their company introduces flexible working, they will be working more hours than before. There are also fears of losing touch with the team. Extending flexible working options will further increase the volume of HR work, too.
The Work Foundation highlighted the four fundamental reasons why employers should introduce flexible working arrangements. These include higher productivity, increased well-being of employees, the higher probability of attracting and retaining talent, and lower accommodation costs.
The study concludes that flexible working arrangements will be most successful and effective when employers and employees agree on the specific advantages for both parties in the form of a formal contract. The following three basic commitments should be met:
1. Examples from the top
Top managers should lead by example in their approach to flexible work and maintaining well-being. Their mission is to build trust across the company and support the cultural change shift from measuring employee presence to measuring their work results.
2. New people management procedures
The introduction of flexible working arrangements will require changes in labor conditions and performance management. The new rules must be transparent and clearly agreed upon with employees.
3. Careful planning and implementation
The introduction of new work-related technologies and procedures requires careful planning. The most suitable solutions should be selected with regard to individual employee preferences.
The complete study, including examples of successful implementations of flexible working arrangements in several British organizations, is available online here.
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