Do you want a happy workforce? Then enable flexible working

Peter du ToitI'm the founder of FutureWork IQ where I spend my time assisting businesses to improve their climate literacy so as to understand the projected impacts from the expanding climate crisis and how to adapt their workplaces in the face of these impacts.

The team from Quinyx produced this fascinating piece of research: The Future is Flexible: A New Workforce Paradigm Evolving From the Gig Economy.

The data from their research is clear: If you want a happy engaged workforce enable flexible work!

Every single time I speak to a team, without exception, workplace flexibility is viewed as very desirable. Yet senior leadership often bulk at the idea.

This is a mistake.

From the research:

Q: If If you were to quit your job today, what would be the driving factor?

17% a lack of schedule flexibility
10% lack of health benefits

Q: What do you look for when considering a new job?

50% flexible schedule
51% health benefits

Q: What would you like to see improved at your current job?

28% schedule flexibility
29% health benefits

I believe one of the single biggest steps a company can take to improving employee happiness, productivity and engagement is to enable flexible and remote working.

What’s holding you back?