Posted on November 14, 2018 by staff

Workers turning down roles without flexible working

Workers turning down roles without flexible working

All generations want flexi-working
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All generations want flexi-working

A new study has found that UK workers of all ages have shown a demand for flexible working, according to research by communications technology business TeleWare.

The survey of 2,300 UK employees reveals employees are actively turning down jobs that don’t offer flexible working.

A quarter of all employees have turned down a job in the past for this reason whilst a further third would actively do so.

Although the proportion of those that have done so is higher amongst millennials (40 per cent), three in 10 (29 per cent) employees over 45 would turn down a job if flexi-work options were not on offer.

Despite a legal right to request flexible working, coupled with widespread technology on hand to enable a more mobile workforce, less than three in 10 (29 per cent) UK employees work for companies that operate flexible working schemes for all. One in five companies only allow those of a certain level of seniority to work flexibly.

This short-sighted practice is handicapping employers search for the best talent, the report has found.

Those in the 25–34 year-old bracket are the most enthusiastic about tech-enabled working conditions, with 93 per cent saying it’s important for them to be able to choose both the hours they work and the place they work from.

The drop in importance expressed by those aged 55 years and older is small though, with 82 per cent still saying flexi-hours and ability to choose where they work is important to them.

“Millennials often get labelled as the digital nomads, expecting work to fit around their lives,” said TeleWare CEO Steve Haworth.

“However, our research reveals that the appetite for flexible working and a ‘work from anywhere’ culture isn’t just confined to those under 35.

“Many businesses are falling at the first hurdle in attracting staff by not providing attractive, flexible working options, losing valuable talent to businesses that embrace flexible working styles for all levels.

“The technology to address this is readily available, with many businesses already using it to not only boost productivity and profits, but also develop a happier, healthier and more loyal workforce.

“The expectations of employees will continue to increase; businesses therefore need to address the flexible working elephant in the room before it’s too late.”