Five ways flexibility improves productivity

Five ways flexibility improves productivity

In a 2018 study, 51% of respondents said they wished their employers offered more flexible work options. The popularity of “flextime,” as the concept has come to be known, is often attributed to employees’ desire for convenience, but companies stand to gain from it, too. In fact, studies prove that flexible working conditions can help improve your employees’ productivity.

Much of the objections against flexibility stemmed from the fear that allowing employees to work outside the office would lead to wasted hours and a drop in productivity. But studies disagree.

In a survey, 71% of employers reported increased productivity as one of the greatest benefits of flexibility. There are several reasons for this outcome:

#1. Employees work where they’re comfortable

A conventional office may have everything workers need to accomplish their tasks — tools and equipment, a dedicated space, and resources — but not everyone is comfortable in it. Some people prefer open spaces where they can let their creativity run wild, while others like surroundings that engage their senses.

Past studies support the notion that comfortable work environments lead to productive workers. Flextime allows employees to work where they are most comfortable, whether it’s their favorite cafe or the table at the corner of their room.

#2. Workers do their tasks when they’re at their most productive

Many companies now allow their employees to ditch fixed eight-hour daily schedules in favor of customized start and end times.

Studies reveal that environmental factors, such as daylight, darkness, and the time of the day, can affect a person’s productivity and energy levels. This explains why you may feel energized one moment and bored at other times. Flextime allows workers to go about their tasks during the hours when they are at peak energy levels.

#3. Employees can work regardless of the weather

Weather phenomena like heavy snow or hurricanes can prevent your workers from going to the office, thereby reducing their productivity. With flexible working options in place, this ceases to become a problem as long as your employees are connected to the internet. Thanks to technologies like the cloud and collaboration applications, workers do not have to be in the office to access files and resources. What’s more, they can do these using their own smartphone or computer.

#4. Workers enjoy positive work-life balance

Many employees today can only dream of true work-life balance. In many cases, it’s not that their job takes too much time or is too difficult. A lot of employees lose their time and energy commuting to work because of factors like bad traffic and inclement weather.

By allowing your employees to work outside the office or a fixed schedule, you can help them reclaim some of the time they lose to unnecessary factors — time they can use to bond with their family and friends or on their hobbies. This leads to a workforce that is more energetic and less prone to burnout.

#5. Flextime improves morale

Never underestimate the power of morale. Even the most talented workforce won’t be at their best if they are not confident or motivated. Factors such as poor work-life balance, illness, and an absence of trust in management can have severe repercussions on your workers’ morale.

Flextime gives employees ample time to focus on their own well-being, as well as avoid factors that contribute to stress. This makes them healthier, not just physically but also psychologically. Flexibility also improves employees’ confidence in their superiors. A study by the MIT Sloan School of Management on their own organization concluded that flextime not only improved productivity, but it also enhanced employee trust.

Many suspected that flextime is nothing more than a fad, but its increasing popularity has long dispelled this notion. Your company can only benefit from having happier, healthier, and more productive employees, so why not give flexibility a try?

Zenops empowers companies through solutions that enhance productivity and collaboration at costs you can manage. Contact us today!

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