Posted: August 9, 2017 by Jaime Stenning
It may be time to start thinking about being more creative with the working environment you offer. There are more and more reasons to offer flexible working practices: Fibre Optic Broadband, low mobile calling charges and cheaper technology are playing a major role in our working lives. And with government legislation changing weekly on working hours, maternity/paternity rights to name but a few.
Working parents
Fitting around school hours can be the top priority for not only new parents, but also job movers and seekers. Don’t think for a second that people with children are less committed, far from it. This demographic can bring valuable skills into your business. Did you know that there is only a 1% difference for workers in the ‘high skill level position + degree educated’ that have dependants vs not? (Labour Force Survey, ONS)
Pets @ Work
OK so this one is a little tongue in cheek… we ourselves have two resident pups in the office. But did you know that dogs can actually reduce stress levels and bring a more calming environment into your workplace?
Home Offices
I’m writing this article in my home office / children’s play room. The children are running riot (supervised!) in another part of the house and I’m tucked away working quite happily… although being watched over by the stuffed bears can be a little disconcerting.
The benefits are numerous; lower overheads (I’m not drinking the office coffee), consistent and/or flexible working hours (the house was empty so I started an hour early), a fresh and ready to go mindset (I’ve not got road rage from two hours on the M5), attracting a more diverse range of employees, cutting your company’s carbon footprint and the CSR story that your firm can promote – the list goes on. All of it is great, but the number one reason for offering flexible working; happy, productive employees.
Here are some tips on making it work for you:
It’s scary I know and there has to be 100% trust on both sides. But offering flexible working solutions can lead to higher productivity, retention rates and quite possibly a better work/life balance for you too!
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