The report, titled “Beyond 9 to 5: The Future of Flexibility in Work,” was conducted by Indeed, a global job site. It found that only 61% of employees believe their workplace is flexible, while 83% of employers claim they offer flexibility to staff.
This disconnect is particularly evident in the retail sector, where 80% of employers say they offer flexibility, but only 42% of employees say they experience it. The mismatch is also significant in the tech, hospitality, and professional services sectors.
The report also found that the most offered flexible work arrangements by employers are:
- Hybrid work (48%)
- Flexible working hours (44%)
- Remote work (19%)
- Location flexibility (17%)
- Four-day work week (15%)
Employers cited greater staff retention and talent attraction as the biggest benefits of flexible work. They also said that flexible work can lead to increased productivity, cost savings, and a happier workforce.
However, employers also identified some challenges with flexible work, such as managing workload and deadlines, managing employee expectations, and maintaining a shared culture among teams.
Despite these challenges, the report found that 84% of employers still believe that flexibility will continue to be important in the workplace in the years to come.
The report’s findings suggest that there is a need for greater alignment between employers and employees when it comes to flexible work. Employers need to be more transparent about the flexible work arrangements they offer and make sure that they are aligned with the needs of their employees. Employees, on the other hand, need to be willing to communicate their needs to their employers and be open to trying new flexible work arrangements.
