With more than three years gone by since the COVID pandemic triggered “The Great Resignation,” employee retention is still a big problem. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the annual employee turnover rate is still 20% higher than it was pre-pandemic. While many factors play into that rate, one of the most prevalent is the mental toll a stressful job can take. Fortunately, there’s a solution that can help keep your employees fresh and focused – flexible (or “flex”) scheduling.
Defining Flex Scheduling
A flexible work schedule is an alternative to the traditional Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. work week. We’re not talking about different shifts or even a fixed 4-day 10 hours a day schedule. Flex schedules give employees the flexibility to change up the days and hours they work based according to their needs. It can also allow them to work from home some or all of the time.
The Advantages of Flex Scheduling for Employers
For employees, the allure of flexible scheduling is easy to see: The freedom to arrange their time on the job gives workers more opportunities to spend time with their families, making sure they’re present for important moments. And that’s just one example of how flex time can build work/life balance.
But flex scheduling also benefits businesses in tangible, measurable ways.
- It improves retention – A study by IWG reported that 80% of workers surveyed would choose an employer that offered a flexible schedule over one that didn’t, with all other variables being equal. The same percentage said they’d be more likely to stay with their current employer if flex scheduling were an option; indeed, 52% said they’d already brought it up in negotiations with management.
- It makes you more competitive as a hirer – As we said at the outset, the American job market favors jobseekers, which requires employers to offer more perks to stay competitive. Given the popularity of flex scheduling in the workforce, it’s no surprise, then, that the IWG survey mentioned earlier found 83 percent of businesses either already offer flex scheduling or are introducing it soon.
- It increases productivity – In Gartner’s Digital Work Experience Survey, 43% of responding workers said flexible work arrangements resulted in they’re being more productive. Some attributed it to the reduction of commute times, but allowing employees to structure their schedules around their household needs also allows your team members to focus more completely on their jobs when they are working.
How to Make It Work for Your Business
Of course, integrating flexible scheduling into your business doesn’t happen overnight. You need to get your management team on board so they can support you during implementation. You need to communicate with your employees to see what type of flexibility means the most to them (flex hours, remote work, or some combination). Finally, you need to develop flex scheduling procedures that ensures your business needs are met.
Want more ideas for retention and recruiting?
Contact Arrow Staffing. Whether you’re looking for part-time workers or shoring up your permanent workforce, we can help. We’re dedicated to helping Grand Rapids employers acquire and maximize talent. Let’s get started!
