FLEXIBLE WORKING IS HERE TO STAY, WHETHER YOU LIKE IT OR NOT…

In case you missed it, Amiqus carried out a poll on LinkedIn recently, asking individuals what the most important thing was when considering a new job role. Over 400 took part – and, overwhelmingly, the key response was for flexible, hybrid or remote working. Some 50% listed it as the most important consideration, way ahead of ‘Salary’ noted by 30% of those who took part. You can read the full article here.

But are companies listening…? This article by Bloomberg suggests not, highlighting research that suggests that UK employers are scaling back on advertising jobs that offer flexible working, as well as part-time and remote positions.

The benefits of flexible working to those with caring responsibilities are well-documented. And parenting website Good To Know highlights data which reveals that mums are more likely than dads to ask for flexible working arrangements when returning from parental leave. But, "just 3 in 10 job adverts offer flexibility, limiting the progression opportunities and earning potential of mothers. Then we wonder why the gender pay gap widens when couples have children and continues to widen further over the subsequent decades," claims Joeli Brearley, CEO and Founder of the brilliant-named Pregnant Then Screwed organisation which carried out the research. Read the full article here.

Finally, if you still need convincing that offering your teams flexible working is a good idea, here's a great piece from The Telegraph on ‘Busting the Myths Around Flexible Working'. And also an article highlighting the benefits of flexible working.

What are your thoughts? Does your studio offer flexible working conditions? How has that impacted your employees’ well-being and productivity?

And if you don’t offer flexible working, I’d also love to hear why not!

Photo by Domenico Loia on Unsplash

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