A new survey has unveiled the importance of flexible working arrangements and how attractive they are to potential candidates
An astounding 63% of job candidates would turn down a job where flexible work arrangements were not on the table, a new Regus study has found.
Surveying around 40,000 business people globally, the research also found that 41% of respondents said they would have remained in their old jobs for longer if flexible work was an option.
These results clearly highlight the need to think outside the box when it comes to offering more flexible workplace packages for staff.
To do this, it is important to focus on the fact that everyone has individual and unique needs, John Henderson, CEO at Regus Australia and NZ, told HRD.
“To make flexible working a success, businesses need to have a clear understanding of what it is they want to achieve – be it cost saving, flexibility to scale up or down quickly or reach new markets easily and efficiently.”
Gaining access to a workplace ecosystem which allows staff to work as they want, when they want is also important and is a trend seen in more and more firms, he added.
“Corporations of all sizes are increasingly looking at office space needs as a strategic component of their business plan.
“This is a major evolution in the way that companies think, as confirmed by our recent survey stating that globally, 81% of companies intend to cut or freeze their property and premises costs this year.”
Ultimately, the ability to choose the workplace location is becoming more important for both current staff and potential candidates, he said.
“Businesses wanting to attract and retain highly skilled and valuable workers cannot afford to ignore how important providing a good work/life balance has become.”
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HR must think outside the box to attract the best
Surveying around 40,000 business people globally, the research also found that 41% of respondents said they would have remained in their old jobs for longer if flexible work was an option.
These results clearly highlight the need to think outside the box when it comes to offering more flexible workplace packages for staff.
To do this, it is important to focus on the fact that everyone has individual and unique needs, John Henderson, CEO at Regus Australia and NZ, told HRD.
“To make flexible working a success, businesses need to have a clear understanding of what it is they want to achieve – be it cost saving, flexibility to scale up or down quickly or reach new markets easily and efficiently.”
Gaining access to a workplace ecosystem which allows staff to work as they want, when they want is also important and is a trend seen in more and more firms, he added.
“Corporations of all sizes are increasingly looking at office space needs as a strategic component of their business plan.
“This is a major evolution in the way that companies think, as confirmed by our recent survey stating that globally, 81% of companies intend to cut or freeze their property and premises costs this year.”
Ultimately, the ability to choose the workplace location is becoming more important for both current staff and potential candidates, he said.
“Businesses wanting to attract and retain highly skilled and valuable workers cannot afford to ignore how important providing a good work/life balance has become.”
Related stories:
Employers to benefit from staff working at home: study
What incentives are your competitors offering?
HR must think outside the box to attract the best