How to attract talent by offering flexibility

How to attract talent by offering flexibility

Employers offering their staff flexibility enjoy increased staff engagement, productivity and decreased absenteeism and turnover. Here's what it can look like in practice.

Employers of choice have realised that offering flexibility gives them a recruitment edge. The ability to offer flexible working hours attracts talented candidates to a role. There are many business benefits associated with offering flexibility to your work force, particularly as leading firms report there are far more women than men applying for legal roles. The benefits for businesses who offer flexibility include increased staff engagement and productivity and decreased absenteeism and staff turnover.

Flexibility is not just relevant to working mothers. Employees transitioning to retirement, who are studying, are a secondary carer for their family, and those with other carer responsibilities also benefit from a flexible working arrangement.

Technological improvements has meant that only very few roles are tied to a location.

Flexibility is no longer just offering part time hours. Any of the following arrangements could be considered:

• Working from home (including hybrid arrangements)
• Job sharing
• Part time
• Amending start and finish times
• Compressing hours
• Working additional hours and reduced days
• The ability to make up hours in exchange for time off
• The ability to take overtime payments as leave
• Negotiating extra holidays for a reduced weekly pay rate

Approving an individual’s request for flexibility is a strong signal that they are trusted and valued. A staff member that feels valued is likely to go above and beyond for an organisation. They will also be great for team morale.

The flexible arrangement may need to be supported by technology such as remote access. The boost to employee satisfaction and engagement will make it worth your effort.

How to manage it

• Consider a trial period and assess how it has gone.
• Ensure you have discussed communication – how will things like team meetings work?
• Development – how will your flexible employee access development opportunities?
• Ensure colleagues are aware of expectations and are supportive of the flexible arrangement.
• Have a formal agreement and your expectations in writing.
• Ensure Key Performance Indicators are relevant to the flexible arrangement.
• Regularly review the arrangement and ensure it is working for everyone.

Does your company have flexibility policies? Have they boosted your staff engagement and your company's profile as an employer of choice?