Timewise survey, powered by WorkL, reveals employees feel trusted by their managers to work flexibly
There is overwhelming support for flexible working from employees, so much so that many would choose to move jobs if offered more flexibility, a survey today reveals.
The survey was powered by WorkL, which helps businesses improve workplace happiness and engagement, in partnership with Timewise, the flexible working consultancy.
When asked if they would move jobs for more flexible working, respondents scored an average of 67.
Data also reveals over 40% of employees were not asked about flexible working by their employer at the point of recruitment.
However it found employees feel trusted by their manager when working flexibly. Data shows 89% of respondents feel trusted by their employer to get their work done when not at their place of work.
It seems employees have considerably more control over where they work as opposed to when they work. When asked ‘Do you have autonomy and control over where you work?’, respondents scored on average 71, whereas when asked if they had control over the hours they worked this dropped to an average of 50.
Flexibility is almost as important as pay in contributing to happiness at work, with pay scoring just 3% points greater when employees had to rate which was most important to their happiness at work. Purpose was the most important factor scoring 38% followed by pay with 25%, flexible working 22% and feeling like your views are heard with 13%.
When asked the question, ‘Do you think working flexibly has positively impacted your performance at work?’, respondents scored highly with an average of 77.
Emma Stewart is the director of development for Timewise, and its co-founder. She says:
“The world of work is caught in a moment of flux. Businesses are on the cusp of deciding whether hybrid-working is part of their long term strategy, and if so – what good looks like. As this research from WorkL clearly reinforces, there are huge benefits to business in getting flexible working ‘right’. Employees value flexible working extremely highly and ultimately, when it is done right, this helps build a happier workforce, and happier workforces are more engaged and productive.”
The Founder of WorkL For Business is the former Trade Minister and ex Managing Director of Waitrose, Lord Mark Price, who comments:
“I’m pleased to have worked with Timewise on this survey to shine a light on flexible working. Particularly as many return to the office and navigate hybrid working, it’s never been more important for employers to touch base with their employees and check on their happiness at work and find out what can help increase engagement and ultimately productivity in the workplace.”
