Insights

The new normal: flexible working

Global

10.02.22

2 ’

Summary

By flexible working, we mean all working arrangements that deviate from the traditional ‘9 to 5’, for five days in the office. This may involve part-time working, remote working, remote working for several days a week, working different hours, or other arrangements.

Covid-19 kicked the traditional 9 to 5 into touch for most employers, and willingly or not, they were compelled to implement flexible working, including remote working, for those who could get their work done from home. And it seems that all this will continue for the foreseeable future. In our survey of clients for 2021, we found that a staggering 93% of organisations with 5,000+ employees said they didn’t expect their workforce to go back to the office full-time in that year.[1]

Remote working benefits employees by reducing the stress of commuting and helps ensure employees experience satisfying working lives. It has become an essential tool for attracting talent, but it is also a win-win, as remote working benefits employers in terms of productivity.

Stefano de Luca Tamajo

Health & Safety

It’s also what many employees seem to be demanding for the future. According to a survey by GoodHire, 45% of employees said they would even quit their job or start searching for a new one if they were forced to return to office premises full-time, and 74% of employees said that they would require some sort of remote working if they were going to continue working for their firm.[2] And it looks likely that these figures will hold true for 2022 as well and likely beyond Covid. Hybrid working, where employees mix office and remote working, is here to stay.

But what benefits and challenges can companies and employees expect from this new flexible normal?