Did you know that some offices are actually more productive when they’re less traditional and more flexible?
When employers think of a workplace, the first thing that tends to come to mind is an open-plan office with cubicles and individual work spaces. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the most productive way to work. Here we’ll be looking at some common misconceptions about flexible workspaces and how they can benefit you as a worker.
Misconception#1: They’re not suitable for everyone
One of the biggest misconceptions about workplaces is that they aren’t suitable for every type of worker. It might seem logical that those who need a nine-to-five routine won’t thrive somewhere different but in reality the opposite is true. Many studies have shown flexible working to be beneficial for workers, particularly those who are parents or who struggle with commuting.
If you live near to your work it can make the journey there more pleasant but if you don’t, flexible hours allow you to get in earlier or leave later without compromising on your pay. This means that even though you might be clocking up slightly longer days, overall they’re actually shorter because of the more streamlined journey. Working from home also makes it easier for parents to juggle childcare duties where possible and provides them with more flexibility.
Even people who don’t fall into these categories often benefit from more flexible workplaces – recent studies have shown that remote workers are 13% more productive than their office counterparts due to being better able to focus and avoid distractions.
Misconception #2: They’re just for people who work in IT or creative jobs
Whilst it might be true that some traditional office jobs lend themselves more to flexible working than others, this certainly isn’t always the case. In fact, any job which involves a great deal of travel or preparation can benefit from flexible hours because they make it easier to meet these demands on time.
In the past few years there has been a huge surge in companies offering flexible working across all sectors of business – from lawyers and architects to teachers and doctors. It’s no longer automatically associated with low-skilled or lower paid roles either – a recent study by KPMG found that half of UK law firms now offer some form of flexible working.
Misconception #3: It’s impossible to manage people without being there
Whilst it might be easier to manage someone who is located in the same building as you, that doesn’t mean this applies to everyone. In fact, many managers find that their staff can work more productively when they’re able to set their own hours and work how they want – particularly if you trust them with discretion.
With an increased amount of young professionals now working remotely, remote management is becoming more common throughout different industries too. Even though it’s possible for both parties to feel like they’re losing something or having some things taken away from them by not meeting face-to-face on a routine basis, they often find they’re more efficient when they don’t have any distractions.
Misconception #4: It’s just for people with kids
Many different types of workers are able to benefit from working flexible hours but it’s often parents in particular who do so because having children gives you a great deal of responsibilities which make organizing your time difficult. However, this doesn’t mean there aren’t also benefits for those without families too!
As mentioned before, flexible working is ideal if you commute long distances or if you live near to work and want to be home earlier in the evening. By giving you greater control over your place of work, many people find that their personal relationships are strengthened as well as their home lives. Not only does this give them more energy throughout the day but it also makes them more likely to do better work.
As was mentioned before, flexible working allows you to make the most out of your time by not wasting any on commuting – if you can do some work during this time (like catching up on paperwork whilst you commute) it means that there’s less for you to get done at home which gives you more time to relax with family and friends, making everyone happier!
Misconception #5: It damages company culture
Seeing as around half of employees now say they choose their job based on how good their work/life balance is , flexible hours are becoming increasingly important. Not only that but many people are finding they have greater loyalty towards companies who offer flexible working because it helps them meet their personal and family commitments and allows them to feel like they’re in control of the direction their career is going.
Not only does it help people manage work better but flexible hours also helps employers retain workers too – especially with rising living costs meaning many young professionals aren’t able to devote as much time or money to a job which isn’t fulfilling outside of the office. By giving employees more freedom over how, when and where they get their work done, you can attract even more talented individuals who might not otherwise have been interested in your company .
Are You Ready for Your New Flexible Workspace?
Victory Workspace has been serving professionals in the Walnut Creek, California area for over ten years, bringing together a community of networking professionals to help them grow their business and thrive. We offer a large variety of coworking spaces, short-term office rentals, meeting rooms and a welcoming event space with plenty of free parking for you or your guests. All that while providing our clients with daily opportunities to network with other business-minded professionals just like you! To learn more, set up your free tour or inquire about which one of our services might be right for you, reach out to one of our amazing Community Guides at Victory Workspace for more information.
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