Let’s take a closer look at some of the benefits of flexible working. Did you also know that 70,000 of BT’s own employees have been able to work remotely for the last two years?

I favour flexible working. It allows me to prioritise my time according to project deadlines. I can relax, and it’s less stressful. There’s no need to travel to a centralised office. I can even have a power nap when I need to, refreshing me so that I can feel more invigorated and able to complete more work. Being forced to work with traditional working hours, and watched over, doesn’t take into account that we’re all human. We need to refresh our batteries from time-to-time.  Don’t we?

Allowing staff some slack actually increases their performance; keeping staff happy, reducing absenteeism and increasing retention rates. Suffolk County Council has also found that it is also:

• Improving its recruitment;
• Good for its public image and branding;
• Builds more trust between employer and employee;
• Stimulates a ‘change management culture’;
• Helps to support a learning culture;
• Reduces workplace property costs;
• Enables a more flexible service provision;
• Widens the range of jobs available to a broader range of potential employees.

The council has noticed that its employees are more motivated to work. Many of these benefits apply to BT’s staff and the company itself too. Small companies and organisations, perhaps like your own, can also benefit from flexible working.  Are you employing it, and how?