There are four most important needs a person attempts to get from their job, and these needs factor deeply into the job search: Achievement (job title), Security (a steady paycheck), Culture (a great team), and Freedom (a flexible schedule). We were curious to know which is most important to our audience of job seekers, so we posted a poll on our LinkedIn Group to ask. Most job candidates shared that a flexible schedule was the most important benefit they were looking for in a new job position. Then we wanted to dive deeper. Why is a flexible schedule the job perk employees really want?
Better Work-Life Balance
It’s appreciated by employees when their employers show their understanding that the people who are working for them are people. We all want a well-balanced home/work life. We can’t survive running on only one or the other. A better work-life balance improves mental health and leads to happier employees who stay with companies longer. FMP Global explains, “The idea is that those who know how to get a better work-life balance will be more happy and satisfied with both elements of their life, and therefore be able to thrive in both areas.” We may not be able to “have it all,” but we’re all happier and healthier when we have a balance, a cohesion instead of collision, of our personal and professional lives.
More Time for Themselves
Self-care is so important, for all aspects of our lives. With a flexible schedule, employees have more time to practice self-care and enjoy their personal passions or hobbies. Moreover, they want the freedom to take care of errands during the week that may not be able to get taken care of during their time off. All those tedious to-dos such as getting their license renewed, transporting their kids, or being home to let in the repair/maintenance worker. These are things that need to be completed during business hours and that people don’t necessarily want to do on their weekends.
More Productivity
We know our bodies and when we do our most productive work. Something employees are learning during this work-from-home era is to listen to their inner clock. Forbes ran a study and surmised that, “People would typically come into work because they enjoyed the social interaction with their colleagues, and the productivity gains that could be achieved through this.” Productivity improves while working when we have energy, as opposed to when we’re fatigued and just going through the motions. When you listen to your body, you get your best work done.
Avoid Traffic
It’s a universal evil: traffic. By avoiding traffic, our moods are improved and that creates a more relaxed team environment. We waste an average of 2-3 hours daily just sitting in traffic, combining the time spent getting to and from work. That time could be spent already working, or finishing a cup of coffee at home in practice of self-care and revitalization while you wait for the rush hour traffic to die down. Additionally, employees who can come into work later often stay later to avoid traffic going home
More Control Over Their Schedules
As adults, we love to be in control of our own time. It’s empowering to make our own schedules and to hold ourselves accountable. That kind of confidence extends into work performance as well, giving employees the opportunity to live each day as they want to. And according to Zippia, “flexible scheduling allows team members to fit in their work around personal obligations that might otherwise have required taking off a day or several.” Employees don’t have to choose between professional and personal obligations. Empowering isn’t it?
Professional or Educational Development Opportunities
For companies that don’t offer a professional or educational development budget, employees can do it on their own time. Do you want to refine your sales pitch? Expand your developer skills? Learn a new language to reach a large part of your market? Or maybe you want to earn a certificate to qualify for the promotion coming? All that can be done with a flexible schedule. Take a course in the morning or in the afternoon, during business hours, and work around the class hour. Turns out, there is enough time in the day!
Consider these opportunities when negotiating benefits after your next job offer. A flexible schedule can be negotiated, if done properly. And this should only be negotiated if you feel it’s right for you, if you’re just as productive working on a flexible schedule rather than a rigid 9-5. For more tips to help you negotiations and your job search, keep following our blog.
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