More Flexible Working Benefits Revealed

Flexible working is now a core feature in many workplaces across the UK, reaping benefits for both employees and employers alike. Alongside traditional employee benefits, flexible working has enabled employees to enjoy better work-life balances and employers to benefit from more motivated and productive staff.

Now, two separate pieces of research reveal how remote working is affording people higher salaries and how flexible working could help millions secure employment.

[Related reading: Most Workers Value Employee Benefits Above Pay]

Remote Working Affords 59% Of Employees A Higher Salary

Almost three out of five (59%) remote workers say having the flexibility to work away from their normal places of work has afforded them a higher salary, new research reveals.

According to the survey from global compliance and payroll technology organisation Deel, just under two-thirds (64%) said remote working has helped them to increase their savings. This is a result of salary increases, as well as reduced travel and housing costs.

In addition, 75% of respondents said remote working had allowed them to enjoy a better work-life balance, while 51% said it had resulted in increased productivity. A further 35% revealed it had helped them obtain their dream job.

Matt Monette, country lead and head of expansion UK and Ireland at Deel, said: “This research makes it clear – the benefits of remote working are wide-ranging, impacting people’s personal as well as professional lives.

“It’s important that organisations understand that they too can benefit massively from flexible working arrangements – through increased productivity, an expanded talent pool and a happier workforce to name but a few.”

Flexible Working Could Help 1.3 Million People Secure Employment

As many as 1.3 million people in the UK who have caring responsibilities, disabilities and/or those living in rural areas could secure employment if greater flexible working options were available. That’s one of the key findings of research from the Centre for Economics and Business Research (CEBR), commissioned by LinkedIn.

According to the study, an extra £40bn could be added to UK GDP if work conditions were adapted to make employment more inclusive by breaking down barriers that shut many out of work.

By introducing flexible working opportunities, employers could enable an additional 600,000 people with disabilities, 284,000 with dependent children, 306,000 with adult caring responsibilities and 104,000 from rural locations to secure employment.

Janine Chamberlin, UK country manager at LinkedIn, commented: "As businesses continue to adapt to this new world of work, there is a huge opportunity for them to redesign workplace policies with inclusivity at the heart.

“This study shows that by enabling greater flexibility, businesses can help to level the playing field and unlock new employment opportunities for around 1.3 million people in the UK.”

[Related reading: What Employee Benefits Do Staff Want In 2022?]

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What does your organisation currently offer in the way of flexible working? The benefits of the practice are well documented – for both employers and employees – so if you’re not allowing your staff to work flexibly, you could be missing out on opportunities.

Contact us today to find out how flexible working arrangements can complement your existing employee benefits and better support your employees.