Flexibility benefits fuelling business optimism, new report finds
Most employers implementing flexible work arrangements are enjoying benefits with cost reductions and employment outcomes, leading to more positive outlooks for 2025, according to a new report from the International Workplace Group.
The report, which included over 1,000 chief executive officers and senior business leaders, found that more than seven in 10 are seeing these benefits from flexible work:
Cost savings (79%)
Mitigating upcoming economic pressures, such as rising taxes, increased tariffs, and market trends (75%)
Improved productivity (72%)
Enhanced recruitment and retention of top talent (71%)
The findings come in the wake of widespread implementation of flexible work arrangements across the world.
In Singapore, the common flexi-work arrangements include flexi-time, permanent part-time work, job sharing, compressed work week, teleworking, and annualised hours, according to the Ministry of Manpower.
"The successful implementation of flexi-work arrangements contributes to a conducive and supportive work environment," MOM said. "This enables companies to attract, motivate and retain valued employees who are dedicated and committed to playing an important role in helping their organisations achieve business success."
According to the IWG's report, benefits from flexible work appear to drive optimism among employers implementing them. In fact, 75% of employers offering hybrid work had a positive outlook for 2025 compared to just 58% of non-hybrid companies.
Nearly two-thirds (63%) of hybrid businesses are also feeling more positive about the economy than they did a year ago, compared to just 44% of non-flexible businesses.
Another 67% of hybrid businesses are also confident that their business will grow in 2025, compared to just 51% of non-hybrid companies.
Nearly half (48%) of hybrid leaders said they are confident in expanding their workforce, much higher than the 38% when it comes to non-hybrid leaders.
"By embracing hybrid working, businesses are reducing costs and enhancing their team's happiness and productivity," said Mark Dixon, CEO of IWG, in a statement. "It's no surprise that businesses adopting this model are the ones looking to the year ahead with optimism."
