The Protime Time Barometer shows that employers already offer a wide range of flexible working options, if the nature of the job permits. The three most common forms of flexibility offered are
Flexible working: do employers really offer what employees want?
2 minuten
In the current job market, flexibility is one of the advantages most wanted by employees. Companies are therefore increasingly responding to that growing demand for flexible work forms. Our recent Protime Time Barometer shows that European companies already offer various types of flexible working. But which forms are preferred, and do the forms of flexible working offered really respond to employee expectations?
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Our Protime Time Barometer compiles 16 intriguing insights into time management at European companies. Where relevant, we highlight the situation for UK employers and employees.
What do employers offer?
- Flexible day schedule: at 43.3%, this is the most commonly offered form of flexibility. A flexible day schedule enables employees to plan their day to suit them, depending on their daily tasks and deadlines.
- Flexible work schedules: 42.6% of European companies allow employees to choose their own working hours over a longer period, for example a week or month. Employees can then decide which days they work and for how long. For example, co-parenting divorced parents can work longer hours one week and fewer hours the next so that they have more time for the children. Some employers even allow a four-day working week.
- Working from home: working from home is another popular option, offered by 39.9% of employers. Working from home has been an accepted form of work since the pandemic and continues to be a crucial form of flexibility.
What do employees want?
Despite employers’ efforts to respond to the demand for flexibility, they cannot always offer exactly the flexible forms of working that their employees want. According to the Protime Time Barometer, these are the most desired forms of flexibility among employees:
- Flexible working hours: over 54% of employees say they prefer flexible working hours for a better work-life balance.
- Flexibility in work location: employees want freedom to choose not only their working hours but also their work location. 53.2% would like to be able to choose where they work, whether at home or in another location.
- Working from home: at 39%, working from home continues to be very popular among employees.
The gab between supply and demand
Despite some overlap between what companies offer and what employees want, there is still a gap. Employers do not offer all the forms of flexibility that their employees want. That may be due to the nature of the job, but also because of the operational challenges involved in flexible working. Sometimes, a lack of trust or transparency between employers and employees also prevents flexible working.
Overcoming operational challenges
One solution to help bridge this gap is the use of a time registration tool. Time registration not only helps keep a record of the hours worked, but also offers clarity and trust for both the employer and employee. And that in turn helps you improve the productivity in your organisation and optimise staffing levels.
Want to know more?
Our Protime Time Barometer compiles 16 intriguing insights into time management at European companies. Where relevant, we highlight the situation for UK employers and employees.