Before the internet explosion, businesses had to rely on a workforce that had to be present in person. Now, with online webinars, video conferencing and other virtual technology, flexi time is more viable than ever for business owners. The City of Cape Town provided a recent example when it decided to give certain employees flexible work arrangements. This was intended to help reduce gridlocked rush-hour traffic. How can offering employees flexi time benefit your business?
Enjoy more flexibility when renting or buying commercial property
Because flexi time is easier than ever, many businesses in Cape Town are overcoming the productivity challenges of congested road traffic. Now that employees can mix working from home and commuting, easily, business owners are not limited to finding offices in the CBD. Many companies are choosing peripheral office locations to benefit from lower renting and purchase costs.
Flexible work arrangements encourage better teamwork
When staff members work in isolated silos, one member of staff may feel resentful if another has to take time off. When staff members collectively have more flexible working arrangements, everyone can pitch in when one team member is away. Flexi time thus encourage a business culture of collaboration and mutually-shared responsibility.
Employees working from home save you money
When employees work from home, businesses do not have to pay for employees’ share of utility use and there is less burden on shared office supplies or machinery. Businesses that embrace a flexi time culture are thus able to reduce the operational costs of renting or owning a property.
This is positive for building owners too who can subdivide properties into more mixed space, to offer rental space to businesses with large as well as mixed, semi-flexible staff complements.
You can draw on a broader talent pool
Another advantage of solving staffing needs via a mixture of in-office and virtual staff is that you can scout talent from further afield. You can find and interview a new team member whose work will largely be shared and performed online not just in your immediate surrounds but wherever you find the best fit. Flexi time and the option for employees to work from home also means that you’ll be better able to retain employees who are planning to relocate.
Key questions to ask before you adopt flexible work arrangements
If you are considering adopting a flexible work arrangement for staff, there are several questions you should ask:
- What flexible working arrangements would best serve the needs of your business?
- How will essential tasks requiring physical presence (such as key business meetings in person) be divided between personnel?
- Are there specific tasks and roles within your business that are better suited to working from home than others? Make sure flexi time offerings don’t backfire and decrease productivity by only creating this flexibility for positions that will benefit.
The rise of flexi time gives you flexibility. You can save money on commercial property, find team members further afield, and take full advantage of all the benefits digital offers. To make the most of flexi time, start by asking the questions listed above.
