Why flexible working is the new normal

"Gone are the days when flexible work was a perk. Whether it’s hybrid roles, remote options, or custom hours, flexibility has become a baseline expectation." - Recruitment Trends for SMEs by Onside.

The pandemic may have introduced us to the idea of working from home, but the ability to flex where we work from is now a core expectation for many employees.

Why should your business embrace flexible working?

According to a recent survey by Robert Walters, 54% of employees prefer a combination of in-office and remote work.

We’ve learned about the efficiency benefits of working from home, making the most of the reduced travel time and the ability to work non-conventional office hours to get the job done.

But we’ve also come to realise the advantages of spending time with our team in the office, and how this can build team spirit, aid collaboration and get us working as a unit again.

The ideal scenario is hybrid working, where time is split between mandated office days and the flexibility to work from home when that makes employees’ lives easier.

How to embrace flexible, hybrid working

Flexible working will be different from company to company and sector to sector. But there are some key ways you can embrace hybrid working in your business:

• Have a clear hybrid policy: Define which roles are eligible for hybrid work and set core collaboration days so you can work on team connections at the office.

• Invest in cloud tech and online ways of working: Make sure your remote employees have the necessary tools and technology to work from home.

• Put your focus on output, not presence: Employee performance should be based on what each employee delivers and achieves, rather than hours spent in the office.