With labor markets remaining competitive and economic pressures continuing, it is essential for companies to be able to attract and retain talent. Companies need to provide potential employees with incentives that will motivate them to make it through the interview process and accept a job offer.
A recent survey of almost 2,000 job-seekers around the world explored what they truly want, with flexibility and work-life balance being ranked as the most important factor. If employers do not offer flexible or remote options, they risk losing out on talented candidates – one-third of respondents said they have rejected job offers due to the lack of such options.
It is evident that the way people work and where they work will never be the same after two years of remote working. Therefore, Human Resources teams and recruiters need to ensure that job applicants are aware of the flexible working arrangements available when interviewing. By offering this flexibility, employers will demonstrate that they are devoted to their employees' welfare and have the capacity to adjust to the new world of work.
A broader talent pool
The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the need for increased flexibility in the workplace. A Gallup survey found that 60% of U.S. workers who worked remotely during the pandemic would prefer to continue doing so as much as possible. By allowing employees to work from any location, organizations can access a wider talent pool worldwide and use communication tools such as Zoom, Slack, secure intranets, and video conferencing to collaborate with remote employees. Organizations that maintain this degree of flexibility are more likely to be successful in recruitment, retention, and employee engagement efforts when compared to those that revert to traditional methods with limited employee flexibility.
Enhancing the employer brand
80 percent of talent leaders believe that the employer brand has a major influence on their capacity to recruit top talent. By offering flexible workplace policies, you show potential employees that your organization is devoted to assisting its staff in achieving a better work-life balance. This can improve job seekers' opinion of you as an employer, as you offer flexibility in the workplace.
Benefits of Increased Flexibility for Employees in the Workplace
Fulfill personal responsibilities
If you provide employees with a flexible workplace, they can fulfill their personal obligations and family responsibilities without neglecting work. If you trust your staff to complete their tasks in a way that works for them, this trust is often rewarded.
Employee empowerment
Offering flexible workplaces can provide employees with a greater feeling of autonomy in their schedule and work environment. Allowing them to choose their own approaches to their tasks can tap into their entrepreneurial spirit and boost their sense of self-determination.
Decreased commuting time and costs
Companies with flexible working options have been proven to have more productive and engaged workforces than their competitors, which is a major advantage when it comes to recruiting top-notch employees. The evidence of the positive long-term impact of flexible working on hiring and retention is growing increasingly strong, and companies are gradually adapting to this change.
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