Empowering Proud Work: Flexible Working
Enhanced flexible working practices are here to stay despite a slow return to the office
The COVID-19 pandemic fundamentally altered work practices, for the better in the eyes of many and with remote and hybrid work models becoming almost ubiquitous. Despite a potential push for a full return to the office, research suggests that a significant portion of the workforce prefers flexible arrangements and will continue to demand this…long term. This clear preference for flexibility underscores the crucial role these arrangements play in attracting and retaining top talent.
Flexible working arrangements are also a DEI success story; for individuals living with physical disabilities (including chronic illnesses, immunodeficiencies and long-COVID), flexible working allows a safe and sustainable engagement with the working world which doesn’t compromise on employee welfare.
Flexible working harnesses the accessibility benefits of modern technology to diversify the voices of the virtual boardroom. Businesses that truly embed and prioritise flexible approaches will be better positioned to succeed in the ever-evolving job market.
| WHAT DOES THE DATA SAY A CIPD report from 2023 found a mismatch between current working practices and desired working practices for employees. 38% of the employees were in the office most of the time whereas only 19% preferred this. The highest preferred pattern was primary homeworking at 21%. Additionally, at least 6% of the employees have said that they had changed jobs because of the lack of flexible working options. LGBT Great insights: The pandemic’s impact on work practices has been profound, with working from home becoming the norm. However, as the world moves past the pandemic, a growing disconnect is emerging between employer expectations and employee preferences. While companies push for a return to the office, 1 in 4 respondents surveyed by LGBT Great identified flexible or hybrid work arrangements within their top 3 most important factors (from a total of 15) which influenced their decision when choosing a new employer. |