The benefits of flexible work arrangements in the post-COVID era in the UK have been widely discussed in recent times with many businesses trialing a four day working week, while others opt for flexible working hours or location. The idea of having flexible arrangements, where employers and employees have the ability to create unique and varied working arrangements in order to continue working and succeeding, is gaining momentum.
What exactly are the benefits of flexible work arrangements?
Flexible work arrangements allow for greater work-life balance or flexibility, simpler tracking of employee hours, and can provide improved mental and physical health for employees.
Moreover, flexible work arrangements have become essential to enabling both employers and employees to find working solutions that support productivity, wellbeing, and balance while also providing a degree of flexibility that allows individuals to manage their health, personal lives, and work-related tasks to the best of their abilities.
The main benefits of flexible work arrangements are the improved mental health of employees, better work-life balance, and a reduction in stress but how?
Flexible work arrangements give employees the freedom to manage their own time and working schedules to suit their personal needs. This therefore reduces both psychological and physical stress – especially in a time when many are working remotely. Employees can work at their own pace, while still having access to support from the employer.
What’s more, employees can customise their hours according to their own commitments. This provides the chance for employees to manage their workloads, avoid the pressures of commute times, and better manage their own health and well-being.
Surveys have suggested that employees who are able to work flexible hours are also more productive and committed to their work. This is likely due to a more organised working process, with fewer distractions, and the assurance of continuous support from the employer.
Flexible work arrangements can also assist employers in providing an atmosphere of safety, security, and identity for their workforce. Such conditions can foster both loyalty and greater job satisfaction among employees and therefore greater staff retention. In addition, the ability to work remotely can give employees access to international opportunities and the chance to take part in business activities both online and offline.
Overall, flexible work arrangements offer various advantages, for both employers and employees and it must now be something that businesses must seriously consider offering. In the face of an ever-changing post pandemic world, businesses must be willing to adapt and adopt new tools and strategies that provide their workforce with the freedom and flexibility needed to stay productive and healthy so that business can grow in a healthy and organic way.
