Flexible Work Isn't the Future. It is the Present.
- marqetr
- Mar 25, 2022
- 5 min read
Updated: Apr 2
Ever heard the quote, "the future is already here — it's just not evenly distributed"?
When it comes to flexible work, it couldn't be more accurate. Flexible work arrangements are no longer a "nice to have" perk for team members. Instead, they're now a necessity for attracting and retaining top talent.
According to a LinkedIn study, job advertisements that mention flexibility have risen by 83% since 2019. And it's not just big tech companies that are offering flexible work options. Small businesses and startups are also starting to see the value in providing a more flexible work environment. In addition, the same study revealed that flexibility is increasingly important when potential employees weigh their options, with 63% of professionals selecting work-life balance as the most crucial consideration when looking for a new position.
With the workforce now more likely than ever to prioritize flexible working arrangements, it's time for businesses to take a closer look at their own policies and practices. If you're not already offering some form of flexibility, now is the time to start.
But what exactly is a flexible work arrangement? What benefits come with it? And what are some of the most popular types of flexible work arrangements that businesses are offering today?
Let's find out.
What Is a Flexible Work Schedule?
A flexible work schedule is any type of working arrangement that gives team members more control over when, where, and how they work. It's the opposite of the traditional nine-to-five workday, where employees are required to be in the office during set hours.
We human beings were never meant to be chained to a desk from nine to five. We were built to move. To be productive in bursts and then take breaks. To be social creatures and work in collaboration with others. That's why flexible work arrangements are becoming more popular, because they offer a better way of working that aligns with our natural tendencies. They allow us to have a healthier work-life balance.
Flexible work arrangements allow team members to design a work schedule that fits their unique needs and lifestyle. And when people are able to do that, they're more productive, engaged, and satisfied with the work that they do.
The Different Types of Flexible Work Schedules
According to a JLL poll, 69 percent of companies said they were having difficulties recruiting workers by the end of 2021. Those who were still refusing to offer flexible working practices were cited as the primary reason for this.
It's now more important than ever for employers or businesses to realize that their people work to live, not the other way around. It's this attitude towards life and work that has given rise to the popularity of flexible work arrangements, and it's what businesses need to adopt if they want to stay ahead of the curve.
With that in mind, there are many different types of flexible work arrangements you can offer your workers or team members. Some of the most popular include:
Telecommuting: Also known as remote work, telecommuting is when team members work from home, a coffee shop, or any other location outside of the office.
Flexible hours: With flexible hours, team members have more control over when they start and end their workday. They can also take breaks throughout the day as needed.
Part-time work: Part-time work is when the team member work fewer hours than full-time employees. This can be anything from working four days a week to working 20 hours a week.
Job sharing: Job sharing is when two or more workers share the responsibilities of one job. This arrangement is often used for parents who want to return to work but can't commit to full-time hours.
Compressed workweeks: A compressed workweek is when team member work the same number of hours but condense them into fewer days. For example, instead of working five eight-hour days, they might work four ten-hour days.
Freelancing: Allowing and supporting them to be working on-demand basis on your projects while giving them the freedom and autonomy to decide how and when they work to deliver exceptional results.
Although there are many different types of flexible working practices, not all of them will be suitable for your business. Therefore, it's vital to sit down with your team and decide which arrangement would work best for both you and them.
The Benefits of Flexible Working Practices
By adopting flexible working practices, businesses can reap the rewards of many direct and indirect benefits. For instance, flexible workers were found to be more committed and satisfied with their jobs, and more likely to put out extra effort than those who did not work flexibly. But what else can businesses expect from this new era of work?
Increased productivity: When employees have more control over their work schedule, they're able to design a routine that better suits their natural working style. This leads to increased productivity and engagement.
Reduced stress levels: With flexible working arrangements, employees are able to better manage their work-life balance. Employees will benefit from reduced stress levels and a more positive outlook on life. It's the perfect recipe for a more productive workforce.
Improved mental health: When employees are able to manage their work-life balance, it also leads to improved mental health. And what's better for business than a team of happy and healthy employees? Without constantly thinking about work or feeling overwhelmed by their workload, employees will be able to focus on being their best selves.
Increased retention rates: One of the most significant benefits of flexible working practices is that it leads to increased retention rates. When employees are happy with their job, they're less likely to look for other opportunities. You retain top talent, and your business benefits from a more stable workforce.
How MARQETR Can Help
If you're not already offering flexible working arrangements, now is the time to start. Flexible working schedules aren't the future; they're happening right now. And MARQETR can help you make the transition.
The future is now; it's in the palm of your hand. With MARQETR, you can hire marketing talents as needed and on-demand, from anywhere, at any time. Scale your marketing team up or down easily, with no long-term hassles and contracts. We deliver a simpler and faster way to connect marketing solutions and experts with businesses, whilst helping marketers work flexibly, anytime, and anywhere.
Whether you're a marketer or a business owner, MARQETR is the flexible solution you need to stay ahead of the curve. With our help, you can make flexible working arrangements work for you and your business, by saving time and money, and provide your on-demand marketing resource with the freedom and flexibility they need to succeed.
About MARQETR
MARQETR is a tech-enabled on-demand marketing experts marketplace. Operating like the “uber of marketing”, powered by a smart-matching algorithm, we help businesses, from Startups, SMEs to Corporations save time and money, and be in control of their marketing cost and resources by providing access to vetted and verified on-demand high-skilled marketers. We also help marketers be in control of their marketing careers where they can work flexibly and earn income their way, anytime and anywhere. We are on the mission to simplify access to marketing experts for businesses and create a better and easier way of working together. MARQETR was incorporated in December 2020 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, with presence in Singapore and the USA.
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