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 design digital workplaces or “offices in the cloud.” These environments enable companies to allow flexible and remote working for their teams. I also teach the digital literacy, fluency, communication and collaboration skills needed to work in these modern technology-rich workplaces.

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?