Flexible work schedules have been at the forefront of the employment industry the last five years. Current research is now suggesting that nearly 70% of surveyed employees would like to work flexibly at some point in the near future. One third of these respondents, although they would like a flexible schedule, feel that they will never be able to have one.
The Timewise survey polled a little over 1100 United Kingdom workers and managers. The research, called A Flexible Future For Britain?, was gathered in two parts.
Senior leaders usually do not speak openly about alternative working solutions offered within their company. Approximately 91% of the managers surveyed for the research said they would be willing to talk to a candidate about a potential flex schedule, yet only 25% of the vacancies advertised explicitly stated this. Many workers looking for jobs that allow these kind of schedules have described their job search as a “hidden market”.
Many workers currently searching for jobs feel as though the topic is still considered taboo by companies and find it to be a topic that shouldn’t be discussed during the interview process.
One human resource expert explained that more and more workers want flexible schedules for multiple reasons. The main reason, however, is that top talent want more choices when it comes to where and when they work. Reduced hours in the office do not mean less commitment, or less work.
Some companies have even gone on the record to state that flexible schedules have helped them attract and retain the “best and brightest talent”, in turn helping propel the company to greater forms of success.
Ultimately, cultural changes are inevitable. The employment industry doesn’t necessarily see changes like this come often but the faster companies adapt, the easier it will become to unlock opportunities for talent and the employer.