When given the option employees prefer flexible hours to a flexible location. 44% of workers said that being able to get work done with no distractions was the biggest appeal to flexible working, however, less traffic was a close second with over 40% citing that reason.
Over 50% of workers In the UK said that they would work the same hours (9-5) if they were able to work from home. However they said that they would take fewer breaks when working flexibly, so does this mean that the employer would be getting more for their money?
Jason Downes, Managing Director at www.powwownow.co.uk said: “Flexible working is becoming a necessity within our working lives. Companies really need to embrace this in order to remain competitive.
The days of the 9-5 are really coming to end and more and more people are choosing to work flexibly, communication in that case is key in order to keep the normal flow of the working day”.
Employers have really embraced Flexible working with over 77% saying that is leads to a better work life balance and more motivated staff, this will therefore increase productivity within the workforce.
Women tend to ask for flexible working more than men, as they would like to spend more time with children. Women bosses also tend to be less trusting when an employee asks for flexible working. The IT sector is the most popular industry to work flexibly with over 68% saying that they do so.
Powwownow has created two Ultimate Flexible Working Guides aimed at employees and employers. These guides would be available as downloadable PDFs, both accessible at www.powwownow.co.uk/smarter-working/guide-flexible-working-employees and www.powwownow.co.uk/smarter-working/guide-flexible-working-employers