At Etech Southern, we believe that flexible working benefits nearly everyone, regardless of personal circumstances. It gives employees the freedom to structure their work week, fostering a sense of trust and autonomy. We’re committed to promoting work-life balance, as it’s vital to our business and positively impacts our team. Here’s how flexible working supports both Etech Southern and our employees:
- Boosts productivity
- Reduces stress and burnout
- Improves work-life balance
- Enhances job satisfaction
- Attracts top talent
What Flexible Working Means
Flexible working allows employees to have control over where, when, and how many hours they work. As the demand for flexibility grows, there’s a gap between available quality flexible roles and what workers need. This is where employers can step in, helping to meet this demand for the benefit of both individuals and organisations.
Employers now bear greater responsibility to proactively consider flexible working requests, shifting some of the focus from employees to businesses to design and offer flexible solutions. Around 50% of new hires are keen to discuss flexible arrangements, highlighting its importance in today’s job market.
Flexible working has become essential for promoting equality, diversity, and inclusion, creating pathways for individuals to enter and stay in the workforce.
As people are working longer than ever, and with multiple generations in the workplace, flexible working can be transformative. For many, it makes the difference between being able to work or not; for some, it’s genuinely life-changing.
Key Benefits for Employers
Flexible working isn’t just appealing to employees—it’s highly beneficial to employers too. Here’s why:
- A Top Recruitment Tool
Flexible working is increasingly cited as a priority over salary, making it an invaluable asset in attracting talent. Currently, only 30% of UK job listings mention flexible work options. By emphasising flexibility in job ads, you’ll stand out to candidates and outperform 70% of competitors. - Supports Wellbeing and Inclusion
Flexibility is instrumental in preventing burnout and supporting mental health, as choice and control over working hours are crucial. It also plays a significant role in creating diverse, inclusive teams. Flexible policies encourage applications from women for senior roles, offer options for those with additional responsibilities, and make remote work feasible for disabled workers.
For mothers, flexible work is especially valuable: although most women wish to return to work post-maternity, only a minority consider full-time work viable. Flexibility is key to supporting this transition.
Making Flexibility Work
Flexible working can be implemented in nearly any role by adjusting:
- Hours of work
- Location of work
- Total weekly hours
Initially, it may seem challenging to introduce flexibility in certain roles, but options are available, such as:
- Standard remote or hybrid options
- Multi-site working
- Compressed hours
- Flexible start and finish times
- Part-time roles
- Shorter shifts
- Job-sharing
- Time-off in lieu for extended shifts
The key is to identify what flexible options are feasible and then communicate these options both internally and in recruitment materials. Supporting managers in implementing flexibility ensures its long-term success, benefiting both the employer and its workforce.
