Chris Cummings
Group CEO, Wellbeing at Work
Flexible work, driven by technology and changing workforce needs, boosts productivity, wellbeing and talent retention in the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
Over recent months, we have heard more organisations demanding a return to full-time back in the office. However, I believe that the future of work is not just how much time you are at your desk but a wider approach to flexibility as our workforce and workplace change rapidly.
Technology to enable flexibility
The workforce talent pool globally is shrinking; demand for new skills such as AI and automation is advancing; and we are entering the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR). These major changes are in addition to levels of engagement, burnout and mental health metrics of our people going in the wrong direction. All this demands a change in approach.
Flexibility is not just how many days you are expected to be in the office; it is creating a psychologically safe environment where people feel trusted to create their own workflows that deliver improved outcomes. Technology is enabling us to embrace these new practices. Yet, recent research from McKinsey shows that, globally, more women left their jobs due to inflexible hours than due to inflexible location policies.
Flexibility is not just how many days
you are expected to be in the office.
Impact of caring responsibilities
Research from Carers UK identifies that over 7 million people in the UK are now juggling paid work alongside their caring responsibilities for family, friends or neighbours. The same research shows that each year, over 1.9 million employees take on a new caring responsibility. These demands are going to have a major impact on productivity and workers’ wellbeing. A flexible approach to work, enabled by technology and new workflows, can help.
As we enter a critical period of change across the world of work and as legislation for workers’ rights is introduced in many countries, flexibility is one of the key ways employers can get greater workforce participation, attract and retain talent and build better economies.
