In Hong Kong the average working week is 75 hours, making it one of the longest working cities in the world. That’s some intensely long days!
A large population should mean more resources with whom to share the load. Unfortunately it also means more competition for jobs, and therefore more pressure to perform. When compared against Richard Branson’s 3 day week culture, it seems starkly excessive. Where’s the downtime?
Flexible working attracts talent
The workers who are good enough to pick and choose their role are more likely to go for the best deal for them. Just like any bargain hunter who is shopping around. Offering the option of flexible working could be just what’s needed to tip the balance and secure the best person for the job.
Flexible workers work harder (and smarter)
A report commissioned by The Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) found that a quarter of flexi workers surveyed actually work more hours than they did when restricted to set hours. It gives workers the opportunity to take advantage of bursts of inspiration, rather than putting the spark on hold until the next day. Keep the dream alive!
Keep your flexible workers connected
13% of the same study were worried that out of sight meant out of mind. This led to fears that co-workers might consider them less hardworking, or that they would be forgotten when it came to promotions.
Flexible working doesn’t have to mean remote working, though. Instead you could offer staff the chance for flexible working hours, or input into their rota. Everyone likes to feel like they have a say, don’t they? Especially when someone is actually listening.
Flexi staff are more loyal
An almighty 75% of workers said that they would be unlikely to leave their workplace for one which didn’t offer the same sort of flexibility. As talent retention goes, it sure does carry a lot of weight. It seems that the potential for better work-life balance is a huge factor in employees’ decision making.
The suitability for flexible working
Obviously some jobs just aren’t suited to allowing remote working. Nobody wants to go in for surgery knowing that the surgeon is directing one of the cleaners via video conference. Nerve wracking.
There is also the need to ensure appropriate staff cover throughout operational hours. If the whole team has flexi-time, make sure at least one of them is a morning person who will get in at opening time.
The use of high-speed technology can also assist efficient flexi working. There is a vast array of apps, gadgets, bells and whistles to keep teams connected no matter where they are geographically.
If flexible working is important to you, it might be handy to take a look at Pandle Mobile, and take bookkeeping software with you on the move.
