How do flexible working hours motivate workers?
Workers are motivated by many things. Money. Recognition. Job security. A sense of purpose. Growth. Autonomy.
The list goes on.
But as of three years ago, we need to add one more essential motivation to the list. Flexibility.
Gone are the days where all workers spend Monday to Friday, 9-5pm in the office. Today, decentralised workforces are common, and are most likely here to stay. Your workforce may be included in that.
But have you gone as far as to allow for flexible working hours for your staff?
As you may be aware, flexible working hours are more than just a perk for employees – they're a powerful tool for fostering a motivated and engaged workforce built on trust.
If flexible working hours are unchartered territory for your business, you may feel it is unnecessary to change the way you do things. But workforces and society have undergone huge (mainly forced by external factors) transitions in the last five years, which often calls for processes and company culture to update with it.
As recruitment and workplace specialists, allow us to present the compelling link between flexible work arrangements and employee motivation, addressing the interests of HR professionals seeking to boost satisfaction and retention, leaders aiming to enhance productivity and gain a competitive edge, and change management professionals guiding organisations through this transformative shift.
Discover how empowering employees with greater control over their schedules can ignite a sense of autonomy, work-life balance, and overall well-being, ultimately driving higher levels of performance and business success.
Related: Flexible work arrangements: 7 benefits your business is missing out on
When we speak about flexibility, you want to make sure you’re referring about the right kind.
The most common form of flexibility is in relation to the work environment, where staff work. Examples of workplace flexibility include hybrid working or full remote working being offered by employers, allowing employees to work full time or part time from home. Robert Half research of 500 employers found 48% of companies already offer this, and a further 40% plan on introducing it.
The second version of flexibility is flexible hours which relates to when staff work during the day. This type of flexibility allows workers to shift their hours to suit personal needs. Need to attend a doctor's appointment during the day? No problem. Need to pick up your kids from school? Go for it. It allows staff to structure their day to suit them while still maintaining a high level of productivity. A similar Robert Half survey of 1000 workers found 48% would like to have flexible work hours introduced in their company. Taking it a step further, 40% of Australian workers said they would decline a job offer if the company didn’t provide flexible work options (Iike hybrid work, remote work or flexible working hours).
So it is important to employees.
"Flexibility, in its many shapes and sizes, remains a top demand for employees of all generations. Companies must adapt to this new reality to stay an attractive employer, even if it deviates from traditional workplace norms. The perks and benefits world has changed and ignoring this shift can lead to losing businesses valuable talent or struggling to attract new hires. Fortunately, flexibility isn't just about working from home; there are many flexible benefits on offer today,” says Nicole Gorton, workplace expert and director at Robert Half.
But as a business owner trying to thrive in this stop-start landscape, you can make this work in your favour. The beauty of offering flexible work hours is it can be achieved whether staff are in the office or if they are working from home.
The benefits of offering a flexible working arrangement with your staff can yield results both for you as a business leader but also for your workers.
For an organisation it can:
Be used as an attraction and retention strategy
Improve employee engagement and retention
Reduce absenteeism
Increased productivity due to reduced distractions and optimised individual work schedules
Potential savings on office space and utilities as more employees work remotely
Improved diversity and inclusion
From employees it can:
Improve work life harmony
Reduce commute time
Reduce commute cost
Enhance job satisfaction
Foster greater autonomy
“To empower their employees and elevate their organisation as an employer of choice, business leaders are upping the ante when it comes to their benefits program. Australians are actively seeking out job opportunities that not only satisfy their monetary ambitions but also their lifestyle needs, such as financial and mental health support being offered on top of the highly sought-after flexibility benefits.”
“A company’s perks and benefits structure is reflective of their wider corporate culture, so innovative and comprehensive packages not only help attract and retain top talent, but they can also support a long-term talent pipeline of employees and help build staff engagement overall,” says Gorton.
No matter if you are offering work from home flexible hours to your staff or you are still asking them to attend the office the majority of the week, providing flexible working hours is a sweetener that can transcend any negative thoughts they may pop up about your organisation’s suitability as an employer (in a worker’s perspective).
You would be correct in thinking the main reasons why staff are motivated by flexible work hours are because of autonomy and empowerment, better work-life balance and increased productivity but there are other, just-as-important outcomes that flexible work hours can influence workers' motivation:
Work from home flexible hours and in office flexible hours can provide employees with the mental space and freedom to think outside the box and when works for them.
As business leaders, you know all workers operate differently. Some are early birds, while others are night owls, and their best windows of productivity can shift depending on these variables and others like doing school pick up.
Allowing staff to work when works for them can spur new ideas and doesn’t bind people to a structure that may not be productive logistically or from a creative standpoint.
Flexible schedules allow employees to better manage health appointments, exercise routines, sleep schedules and personal commitments.
Staff are motivated by the fact they can have autonomy over their personal lives while effectively juggling it with their work responsibilities. These aspects of life are essential to overall well-being and stress reduction.
Workers who have improved physical and mental health are more likely to have a positive employee experience at your business.
As you are likely aware, corporate culture and ESG have become a critical part of recruitment and retention as both existing and prospective employees value employers who take proactive steps to improve the environment and society.
A 2023 Robert Half survey found 74% of employers said employees care more about ethical behaviour and citizenship than they did in the previous year.
This is to say that by enabling remote work and reducing commute times, flexible working hours can contribute to a smaller carbon footprint and a more sustainable future, something that is close to the heart of environmentally conscious workers.
With candidates, especially Gen Z, taking a more ‘values-driven’ approach to career choices, employers are placing a greater emphasis and transparency around ESG and DEI activities. So much so that 41% of job candidates and 27% of existing employees ask their employer about efforts to improve DEI.
Flexible work arrangements can open up opportunities for individuals who may face challenges with traditional 9-to-5 schedules, such as parents, caregivers, or people with disabilities, promoting a more diverse and inclusive workplace.
By demonstrating trust and empowering employees to manage their own time, flexible working hours can foster a positive company culture characterised by autonomy, respect, and work-life harmony.
“It’s become increasingly important for employees and jobseekers to find an employer that reflects and supports the values they hold. Companies that are on point and open about their ESG and DEI initiatives, as well as corporate values will be in the strongest position to attract and retain talented workers. But it’s an ongoing journey – listening and responding to the changing views and behaviours of Australia’s workforce will be paramount,” says Gorton.
As you can see, flexible working agreements can yield fantastic employee motivation. In saying that, challenges can arise if your business is implementing this for the first time or on an ongoing basis if obstacles aren’t addressed. But don’t worry, for every challenge, we can help you find a solution to give you the best chance at making flexible working hours work for you and your employees.
Communication and collaboration – Establish clear expectations around response time, availability and preferred communication channels to ensure project timelines and deliverables are adhered to. Invest in communication tools like Microsoft Teams, Zoom, Slack or other platforms that allow for easy communication and encourage team members and manager to communicate freely and regularly.
Maintaining a work-life balance – Encourage your staff to define clear work hours and stick to them as much as possible. Foster a culture that allows them to take regular breaks. Provide training or resources on effective time management and prioritisation techniques is also highly encouraged.
Productivity and focus – Offer flexibility within flexibility by allowing employees some control over their schedules within agreed-upon parameters. Life can throw curve balls, so if workers know they can make amendments to their hours, this can improved morale and retention.
Performance management - Define performance objectives and expectations upfront and establish regular check-ins to monitor progress and provide feedback. One of the most important things here is to shift the focus from hours worked to deliverables and results achieved. This shift in mindset embodies the realities of flexible working agreements.
How do flexible working hours motivate workers? Besides the reasons provided, workers will only be motivated if challenges are proactively addressed to create a successful flexible working environment that benefits both employees and the company.
Before we leave you to reap the rewards of offering flexible working hours to your staff, here are some practical tips for successfully implementing them:
Define clear policies and guidelines around core hours, communication and performance.
Provide the right tools and technology to allow for collaboration, secure access and technical support.
Foster a culture of trust and accountability to empower employees to do their best work.
Offer training and support for time management and productivity.
Monitor and evaluate your flexible working arrangement to gather feedback, track performance metrics and make adjustments if needed.
Flexible working hours are not merely a trend but a transformative approach to work that significantly impacts employee motivation.
Embracing flexible work arrangements is not only a strategic move to attract and retain top talent but also an investment in the well-being and success of your employees. As businesses continue to navigate the complexities of the modern workplace, prioritising flexibility can unlock a wealth of benefits, creating a positive ripple effect throughout your business.
Empowering employees to take control of their work lives cultivates an environment where individuals thrive, contributing their best selves to your company's mission.
It can be a win-win situation when done right.
How do flexible working hours improve employee morale?
Flexible working hours positively impact employee morale by promoting a healthier work-life harmony. It is proven that when staff have autonomy over their schedules, they can better manage personal commitments, reducing stress and increasing overall well-being. This self-management also fosters a sense of trust and empowerment, leading to increased job satisfaction and engagement.
What are the benefits of flexible work hours?
Improved work-life balance
Increased productivity
Reduced commute time
Reduced commute cost
Enhanced job satisfaction
Attracting and retaining talent
Improved employee morale
Improved employee engagement
Does flexible work increase productivity?
Yes it can. Flexible work arrangements, when implemented thoughtfully, have the potential to significantly boost productivity by improving focus and reducing distractions, having a better work-life balance, and increasing employee engagement and morale.
How to implement flexible work hours successfully?
Set clear expectations
Provide the right tools such as laptops, secure access to company networks, and collaboration software
Foster a culture of trust
Encourage communication
Evaluate and adjust when needed
What are the challenges of flexible work hours?
Blurring lines between work time and personal time
Communication and collaboration when workers are on different schedules
Productivity and focus if not managed properly
Feelings of isolation and loneliness
