FlexJobs desires to keep a pulse on workers and the flexible work landscape. This year we’ve released our 8th annual survey of over 7,300 respondents on why they value flexibility and how it affects their job choices.
The truth is that workers want work flexibility options and they are seeking out companies that provide this better way of working.
And not only that, they are leaving jobs that don’t offer flexible work.
So what type of work flex do candidates want the most? Working remotely 100% of the time was the top choice of work flexibility (76%), followed by a flexible schedule (72%).
Here are some of the findings from the survey and how offering work flexibility can improve your bottom-line benefits.
Employee Retention
Employers that offer flexwork options can find more committed employees—80% of respondents said they would be more loyal to their employers if they had flexible work options (up from 75% in 2018). Over 60% said they have considered leaving a job because it did not have work flexibility, and 30% of that group have actually quit their job.
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Reducing Expenses
When it comes to actual money savings from offering flexible work, 28% of respondents said they would take a 10% to 20% cut in pay; 21% are willing to forfeit vacation time; 16% said they would give up employer-matching retirement contributions.
When respondents were asked their top considerations when evaluating a job, things like work-life balance (73%) and flexible work options (69%) were at the top, well above things like health insurance (39%), retirement benefits (32%), vacation time (32%), and skills training (29%).
Hiring Strategy
Providing work flexibility can be a strong hiring strategy. Not only can you access qualified workers from outside of your local area, but our survey found that 97% of respondents are interested in being a flexible worker in the long term. Offering flexible work options can help attract professionals who may stay with your company for the long haul.
Productivity
Every employer wants high productivity from its workforce. When it comes to working in an office or at home, 65% of respondents think they would be more productive working from home than working in a traditional office environment.
Of those respondents, they cited fewer distractions (74%), fewer interruptions from colleagues (72%), reduced stress from commuting (70%), and minimal office politics (64%) as leading reasons why productivity would increase. Only 8% of respondents prefer the office when they need to focus and get something done. Instead, the majority choose their home office.
Educated and Experienced Workers
Work flexibility appeals to highly educated and experienced workers. According to our survey, 78% of respondents have at least a college degree, with 69% having at least a bachelor’s degree and 28% having a graduate degree. And in their professions, 33% are manager level or higher. Offering work flex can attract these high-quality workers to your company.
Check out the rest of our survey findings to learn more about what workers are desiring in today’s job marketplace and how you as an employer can meet their needs and improve your bottom line.
If you’re looking to hire talented job seekers who are looking for flexible work, we can help! FlexJobs helps connect thousands of companies to top talent—with companies that range from Fortune 500 to small businesses and nonprofits.
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