91 per cent of companies link rise in productivity to flexible work practices

Research by global workplace provider Regus has found that 91 per cent of Maltese companies report that their productivity has increased as a result of flexible working practices.

The research, which surveyed more than 16,000 senior business managers around the world, also found 91 per cent of businesses linked increasing revenues directly to flexi-working.

It is believed to be the first time that independent research evidence has validated the causal connection between flexible working (time and place of work) and improved productivity-revenue generation.

Respondents reported feeling more energised and motivated thanks to flexible working (82 per cent), perhaps indicating why they are able to become more productive and generate more revenue.

Flexible working, by improving worker morale and health, is therefore also taking on the important role of talent retention tool, providing businesses with a valuable way of rewarding and attracting resources.

The report found 91 per cent of respondents worked more on the move than they used to; 77 per cent said company staff feel healthier thanks to flexible working. Eighty two per cent of respondents expect a surge in the number of people that go part-time at some point in their career path.

“Technology and network improvements as well as worker demands for a better work-life balance have driven flexible working to become the norm rather than the exception,” Regus regional vice-president Mauro Mordini noted.

“This survey confirms the business case for flexible working revealing that global businesses see increased productivity and greater revenue generation as directly linked to flexible working practices.

“Business people are also working on the move more than they used to, making the availability of work centres in every city increasingly attractive, particularly to small businesses that cannot rely on a network of company offices. As workforce expectations and demands change, part-time arrangements are becoming more common, not only for freelancers, working mums and the working elderly, but also generation Y employees going straight into multi-job employment.”