How important is flexible working for technologists?

There’s no doubt about it. The number of technologists looking for flexible working is huge and is still growing! Over 70% of the hundreds of technologists we have surveyed are ideally either looking for part time or freelance roles, though would take a full-time role.

Flexible working is defined as either part-time or if a work pattern involves reduced hours, shift choices or the ability to work from home for some/all of the working week. It can provide flexibility on where, when and the hours they work. It could mean working part time or perhaps compressed hours. It could be freelancing.

Research from Timewise (Flexible working specialists) recently shows that the general population are even more keen for FWA (Flexible Working Arrangements) with 87% of people either currently with flexible arrangements or seeking to do so.

Despite this, employers have a long way to go to satisfy employees FWA needs, as less than one in ten jobs paying over £20,000/annum are advertised as being open to FWA’s in 2015 (www.ten2two.org). To put that into perspective, almost 90 percent of people are looking to move to flexible working, but only one in ten jobs offer flexible working!

It would seem that there are many benefits.  For employers, higher productivity and lower attrition rates and for employees – a better work life balance, less stress and greater contentment within roles.

However for these kinds of arrangements work well, organisations need to be flexible and ensure that individuals can be supported adequately.

This gap is slowly closing… A 2017 survey of over 250 businesses showed that 83% of employers agree that flexible working has benefited their business showing that they recognise the benefits aren’t just for the employees. And with the advances in technology, like broadband and video conferencing, flexible working has never been easier.

HARRY STEPHENS