Wildgoose Events has released some insights from a recent survey carried out by the company into attitudes towards flexible working. Employees from 114 companies were surveyed anonymously.
The results of the survey, says Wildgoose, reflect a clear demand for flexible working and models outside of the traditional nine to five.
Nearly 8 out of 10 of those surveyed who are not allowed to work flexibly said that having the ability to do so would be very significant for them. In fact, 14.3 per cent of those indicated that they are actively considering a career move to an organisation that would offer them flexible working, citing that the rigidity of their hours is stopping them from carrying out their role effectively.
A further 42.9 per cent of people who currently don’t have access to flexible working suggested that having the ability to do so would allow them to maintain or even boost their productivity levels whilst juggling life outside of work at the same time.
Over 39 per cent of the people surveyed who work flexibly see a noticeable improvement in their mental health. Similarly, almost 43 per cent of people who do not have the option of flexible working, feel it would enable them to better manage their mental health. Half of men not working in a flexible working environment said that doing so would help them better manage their mental health, in comparison to one third of women.
Commenting on the survey findings Jonny Edser, founder and managing director of Wildgoose said “The results from our survey highlight the real benefits that adopting flexible working can offer to both employees and employers. At Wildgoose, we understand that everyone has a life outside of work that doesn’t always fit around the typical 9-5. Trusting your employees to work at times that suit them is fundamental to maintaining productivity and employee wellbeing. If companies value the contribution their staff bring to the table, then giving them the freedom to flex their working hours is a no-brainer when it comes to keeping them.”