Flexible working is here to stay
Since 2020, the landscape of workplace flexibility has been in flux, with some organisations fully embracing remote work while others insist on a return to the office. In 2023, our research captured this uncertainty, with only 32% of HR leaders leveraging flexible work arrangements as a strategy to tackle recruitment challenges, suggesting a cautious, if not tentative, approach towards flexible working. Our most recent examination of 250 HR leaders paints a drastically different picture for 2024. A significant 80% of HR decision-makers recognise the strategic importance of flexibility in their employee offer.
Across various generations in the workforce, the preference for flexible working arrangements is evident: 88% of GenZ, 82% of Millennials, 71% of GenX, and 66% of Baby Boomers, highlighting its widespread appeal and increasing importance in today's labour market. Variation also occurs at organisational size, in smaller organisations (250 to 999 employees) at 87%, compared to 78% in larger organisations (1000+ employees). This difference indicates that smaller organisations may have greater adaptability to flexible work practices due to their agility. In contrast, larger organisations, especially those with revenues over £200 million (69%).
This is supported by our survey of 1,000 UK employees, with 74% confirming they have flexible working hours or arrangements in their organisations. This increase highlights a rapid shift in HR priorities and practices, reflecting a deeper understanding of the evolving world of work, likely influenced by global trends and the acknowledgement of flexible work benefits for both employees and organisations. Additionally, 54% of employees believe flexible work effectively promotes empathy and mental health support in the workplace, revealing a perception that flexible working is an investment in their overall wellbeing. In conjunction with flexible working, three in ten organisations offer employees unlimited paid leave, further highlighting that organisations are embracing employee expectations. Should there be an absence of flexible work or remote working options, 29% of employees cite this as a decisive factor in their decision to leave a job.
Organisations are increasingly moving away from uncertainty and reluctance. Instead, there is a growing emphasis on meeting and prioritising employee needs and expectations. These findings will significantly impact recruitment and retention strategies in 2024, with 46% of HR decision-makers saying adapting to employee expectations of flexible working will be a crucial challenge in 2024.
