Remote Working|

Flexible Work Is Not the Future; It’s Already Here

Flexible work is not just a buzzword; it’s a trend that’s here to stay, and it already positively affects employees. Here, we’ll look at how the benefits of flexible work spaces change the way people think about their careers. Additionally, how they’re becoming more popular among employers and what the future of this movement holds for you.

Flexible work is not new

You may not have heard of the term “flexible work” until recent years. If you’ve worked in a coworking space or with a flexible schedule, you’re probably already familiar with this growing trend.

Back in the 1990s and early 2000s, telecommuting was slowly gaining popularity. Then, companies like IBM offered remote workers more flexibility to balance their workloads. Today, companies are increasingly offering flexible schedules and remote options to employees and job seekers.

Employee satisfaction is on the rise

Employees are more satisfied with flexible work than traditional work. The 2018 State of Workplace Flexibility report shows that employee satisfaction is rising. Employees now care less about traditional benefits like health insurance and more about work-life balance.

Work flexibility means happy employees

Flexible work schedules mean happier employees. Why? Because employees who have flexible work schedules are more satisfied with their jobs, according to a Gallup poll of over 1 million workers. They’re also less likely to quit than those with inflexible schedules.

Those who enjoy flexible work arrangements report higher levels of work engagement. Additionally, they report feelings of support from supervisors and colleagues. And, overall, are more satisfied with their jobs.

A separate study found that employees with access to flexible hours are less likely to experience stress-related health issues like depression.

Three women gather in the workplace overlooking a woman's ipad and discussing further plans

Remote work is a perk that pays back

A study by the University of Sydney found that employees who have flexible working hours are happier and more productive than those who don’t. It’s also a way to attract talent, especially in industries where remote workers make up more than 50 percent of the population.

The bottom line? Flexible work benefits both your company and its employees. Employers can plan to make this shift by offering stipends for coworking memberships and work-from-home equipment.

Flexible schedules are attractive to job seekers

If you’re a job seeker, flexible work schedules are likely more appealing to you than traditional ones. Flexible work schedules allow employees to spend more time with family, even if that work takes them away from home.

If you have small children, a flexible schedule allows for more time spent together during the day or making space for more quality time.

Flexible schedules also give employees more control over their personal health and wellness goals:

  • Exercising regularly may become easier to include in one’s schedule
  • Healthy eating may be easier when meal planning doesn’t have to plan around commute times
  • Stress relief might result from having the opportunity to fit in personal interests around work output, rather than exclusively on weekends
Two Haven members, one male and one female, laughing and talking.

Coworking spaces open doors to flexible work

Coworking spaces are often associated with freelancers, startups, and remote workers. While they do play host to these groups, coworking is not just for them. It’s also a great option for those who’re looking to shed their office job or work from home and need an environment that supports their needs.

Additionally, coworking spaces cater to industries like real estate that can host their teams within a space without the expensive costs of long-term commercial leases.

Meeting room rates are often hard to beat and allow companies to host meetings—virtually and in person—and pay only for the time used.

For some, a coworking space presents a sense of community. Many facilities, including The Haven, offer social memberships that allow members a limited number of coworking hours, but access to social and community events.

Asynchronous communication creates flexibility

Asynchronous communication is the easiest way to create flexibility. Whether you are working remotely or in the office, asynchronous communication can be a great way to stay connected with your team and get things done.

Asynchronous communication refers to any form of communication that happens outside of real-time meetings, such as email and chat tools.

group of people sit along table-lined windows while remote working, overlooking pine trees and Deschutes river in Bend Oregon

Benefits of flexible work spaces

The benefits of flexible work environments are so numerous, it’s hard to keep track. These are just a few flexible work perks.

Flexible work is good for employees and employers

Employees who have flexible schedules report higher job satisfaction than those who don’t, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Additionally, many studies show that companies with a high degree of flexibility in their workforce have higher profit margins and lower turnover rates (compared to those that don’t provide as much flexibility).

Flexible work is also good for the economy

Research conducted by the Boston College Center for Work & Family found that flexible work arrangements lower absenteeism rates by 26% and increase productivity levels by 42%. These findings suggest that offering more options can make a noticeable difference in employee productivity.

Join the movement with flexible work perks

It’s not a trend—it’s a movement. The benefits of flexible work spaces are here to stay, and now it’s time for us all to get on board. If you’re still clinging to the idea that working remotely means less productivity, we encourage you to take a step back and look at the data.

If anything, flexible work environments have been shown to boost productivity by improving employee satisfaction and communication skills.

Try out our trial membership for just $149 your first month. If you love coworking, you can choose your membership level after your trial ends.

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