At Alexander Lyons Solutions, we’ve noticed a growing trend: companies boasting about offering “flexible working” in job ads. But when you look closer, it’s clear that what some businesses think is flexible working is really just a slightly adjusted version of the traditional 9-to-5 🥴
What Companies Think Flexible Working Is
When some companies advertise flexible working, what they really mean is giving employees a limited choice between two set schedules. For example:
- “You can work 7:30 am to 4 pm or 8:30 am to 5 pm.”
This hardly qualifies as flexible working. It’s a rigid structure disguised as flexibility, and it misses the point entirely.
What Flexible Working Is
True flexible working is all about allowing employees to manage their own time, while ensuring the work gets done. Here’s what it should really look like:
- Starting at a time that suits your schedule: Employees should be able to begin their day when it fits best into their lives, whether that’s early morning or mid-morning.
- Taking breaks when needed: Flexibility means not having to ask permission to take a lunch break or step away from the desk. Employees should feel trusted to manage their time.
- No micromanaging: Employees shouldn’t have to tell their manager every time they need to take a break or adjust their schedule.
- Working agreed hours flexibly: As long as employees meet their goals and complete their hours, the “when” and “how” should be up to them.
At its core, flexible working is about trusting employees to do their jobs without dictating every aspect of their day.
Flexibility Is About Employees, Not the Company
The UK government defines flexible working as “a way of working that suits an employee’s needs.” The keyword here is employee. True flexibility should cater to the needs and lifestyles of the people doing the work, not the company’s desire for control.
Source here: https://www.gov.uk/flexible-working
Offering a one-hour window for employees to log on isn’t flexible—it’s restrictive. Real flexibility empowers employees to manage their own time, so long as they meet deadlines and achieve results.
Why Flexible Working Matters
Flexible working is more than just a perk; it’s a reflection of a company’s culture. It demonstrates trust, promotes a healthier work-life balance, and can significantly boost productivity. For employees, it means they can fit their work around their life, rather than the other way around.
At Alexander Lyons Solutions, we’ve found that when employees are given real flexibility, they’re more engaged, motivated, and loyal. In today’s competitive job market, offering genuine flexible working is not just a way to attract top talent—it’s a necessity.
Time to Rethink What You’re Offering
So, to all the companies out there advertising “flexible working” but only offering minor adjustments to traditional hours—it’s time to rethink. If you want to use flexible working as a benefit, make sure it genuinely benefits your employees. Trust them, empower them, and give them the freedom they need to succeed.
Because if you get flexible working right, you’ll not only attract the best talent—you’ll keep them too.