Flexible work hours allow employees to enjoy work-life balance and support both their physical and mental health. Nowadays, many employers offer flexible work hours to increase productivity and as a social opportunity for their employees.
In this blog, we will take a look at the benefits of flexible work hours and how they can increase employee satisfaction.
What is Flexible Working?
Before looking at how flexible work hours will affect employee satisfaction, it is useful to take a look at which types of work include flexible hours. Most people first think of freelancers when it comes to flexible work hours. However, the modern business world now implements flexible hours in most work schedules.
Let’s examine some of the flexible work programs together.
Flexible Time
A conventional work schedule often adheres to the 9-to-5 structure. However, flexible jobs provide employees with the option to work outside of these standard hours.
For instance, you might have an 8-hour shift within a day, allowing you the flexibility to determine your preferred start time.
Work schedules that include flex time allow employees to finish their work hours later or earlier. Most companies that are working from home are now switching to flexible working hours.
Companies primarily adopt this working system because it aligns with employees’ preferences. A study revealed that after health insurance, flexible work hours rank high on employees’ demands.
Compressed
When flexible work hours are mentioned, it is not surprising that a compressed work schedule comes to mind. In such working systems, employees can work longer hours in a shift and receive more time off.
For example, if you need to work 30 hours a week, it is up to you to complete this work time on the desired days of the week.
Remote
Especially since the pandemic, one of the most common ways of working is remotely. Here, employees work in virtual offices instead of physical offices. Remote working style has become so common that most companies are now looking for virtual office solutions.
Enhancing remote working with digital workspaces is described as a complete game changer. Remote employees can complete their tasks in a shorter time by directing the time they would spend going to a physical office to their work. Thus, they can have more time off, work more efficiently, and manage their time more effectively.
Hybrid
A hybrid work schedule allows employees to work both in the physical office and remotely. Companies that organize certain days to work from home rather than being in the office every day of the week can achieve high success in terms of productivity.
One reason for this could be the dual benefits employees derive from a change in environment. Working independently in preferred spaces enhances adaptability for individual projects while collaborating in office settings fosters teamwork.
Benefits of Adapting Flexible Work Hours in Companies
Flexible work hours emerge as one of the most effective methods to enhance employee satisfaction, productivity, and efficiency.
This trend has prompted numerous companies to seek virtual office solutions to facilitate flexible working arrangements. Wondering why? Here are some compelling benefits of companies embracing flexible working hours.
Increases Loyalty
FlexJobs helps us understand the importance of flexible work hours with a survey of 7,300 participants. According to this survey, 30% of employees leave their jobs because they do not have flexible work hours. 16% are looking for a new job because they do not have flexible working hours.
The real critical value is this; 80% of respondents report that they would be more loyal to their employers if they had flexible working hours. That’s why it’s no surprise that many companies are embracing flexible work hours.
Companies can create quality and well-equipped teams by providing flexible working hours for their employees.
Boosts Productivity
Employers think that if they do not monitor their employees, they cannot control their productivity. However, with the help of project management tools, video conferencing tools, and more virtual offices emerging in the changing digital world, productivity can significantly increase.
Employees say that they can be more productive in working models that offer flexible work hours, such as remote or hybrid because they are away from workplace stress.
Minimizing the stress levels brought on by the workplace environment can enable employees to focus more on their tasks.
Better Work-Life Balance
Employees’ work-life balance is an issue that should second concern employers. Because the more balanced employees feel, the greater their potential to be more efficient and productive in their work.
The mental and psychological effects of remote working can include loneliness and isolation. However, when looking at its positive effects, it is observed that the well-being of employees increases.
Investing more time in their personal lives can infuse employees with the energy needed to pursue their career goals with greater determination and enthusiasm.
Increases Satisfaction
Flexible work hours can increase the satisfaction of both employees and employers. Having flexible working hours on the employee’s side makes them more satisfied with their jobs. Thus, performing work duties can become more enjoyable.
On the employer’s side, increasing employee productivity allows project performance to increase and company goals to be achieved faster. Flexible work hours can be a win-win situation for both parties.
Reducing Costs
Flexible working hours are frequently integrated into remote or hybrid work setups. When comparing virtual offices to traditional offices, cost emerges as a significant factor.
Traditional offices entail numerous expenses for companies, including rent, administrative supplies, and transportation costs.
Virtual offices allow companies to invest in tools that will benefit company goals by reducing such costs. Plus, employees who have flexible work hours can reduce their use of paid leave or sick leave. This also means that human resources costs are reduced.
How Can Workplaces Implement Flexible Work Hours into Their Systems?
Flexible work hours offer various advantages in terms of productivity and efficiency, while also boosting satisfaction for both employers and employees. So, how can organizations seamlessly integrate flexible working hours into their systems?
Communication
First of all, flexible working systems mean that employees will be away from the workplace. This directly raises a problem; Communication! So, the first move you need to make is to solve the communication problem.
To develop effective communication with remote employees, you can get support from software that has comprehensive online meeting features.
OctaMeet, the new generation video conferencing platform by OCTAPULL, offers you many advantages in this regard.
In addition to online meeting rooms, it allows you to brainstorm with your team just like you are in an office environment, with features such as breakout rooms, interactive whiteboards, and screen sharing.
OctaMeet also facilitates the transfer of all meeting information between teams with its file-sharing feature. It ensures smooth communication with the advantage of high protection, quality resolution, and trouble-free connection.
Performance
Another crucial aspect to consider is employee performance. In a physical workplace, it’s easier to monitor and assess employees’ activities.
However, when they’re working remotely, how do you ensure the same level of oversight and accountability? There are comprehensive project management tools that you can get help with in this concern.
Such advanced software allows you to assign tasks to employees, monitor them, and track performance in real time. For example; Jira, Slack, ClickUp, Asana, and Wrike are just a few.
As a result, flexible work hours can be defined as an effective practice that can increase the efficiency of working systems under the right circumstances. If you would like to increase employee satisfaction and productivity with virtual office solutions, you can contact us or book a demo to get more information about OctaMeet!
