The work environment is changing rapidly, providing new challenges and opportunities for businesses throughout the UK and beyond. The global pandemic has encouraged a shift in working patterns and seen the end to traditional working protocols. Advanced technology has also enabled workforces to operate and communicate in a way like never before, allowing businesses to work their way through this period as effectively as they can.
The definition of ‘agile working’ is to create a flexible and productive environment that brings people, processes, connectivity, and technology together to find the most suitable and efficient way of working. It is about working within the business guidelines but without the formal boundaries, which has never been more important.
There have been numerous studies carried out in recent times, which have shown that flexible working arrangements can have significant positive effects on an individual’s mental health, bringing better balance to the day and improving sleep and stress levels. This in turn will have an equally significant impact on that person’s ability to perform well in their job.
The mental health repercussions from this pandemic will have huge long-lasting effects, so businesses must take action to ensure that they support their teams and in turn their business performance. An agile office space is designed to remove the formality from business spaces, creating an environment where people can work most effectively and without undue pressure.
HR and business leaders must work together to create agile working processes that address the needs of the employee and the business. As HR consultants, we have long been promoting the idea of flexible working practices but need the support of business leaders to truly demonstrate the positive impact that agile working can have on the workplace.
Benefits of Agile Working
An agile working methodology has many benefits. We have highlighted three key benefits which will be of utmost importance to you as business leaders:
- Increased productivity
Flexibility improves work-life balance which is something we all strive for. The more time we can spend on doing things we love, the happier we become which in turn promotes our wellbeing, our engagement and productivity.
Agile working means your team are assessed by their actual performance and results, instead of the time spent in the office. It encourages better working habits and allows a team to become more productive and resourceful. In our experience through this year and before, working at home does not impact the output of our teams. Individuals want to perform well and show they can be relied upon to work effectively on an independent basis.
- Money Saving
Agile work environments save money for everyone involved. Employees will spend less time and money on commuting, and businesses to save costs on the overheads that come with maintaining office spaces. Employees can use shared workspaces that are available or collaborate remotely. The money you save can be used in numerous ways to increase productivity such as employee training.
- You will attract better talent
Firstly, with minimal or no geographic constraints, you have access to a far wider pool of talent. Secondly, flexible working environments are a major selling point for any business and for many flexible working is now an expectation. A recent study found that 77% of millennials believed that a flexible workplace would make people in their age group more productive. Since millennials are due to make up 75% of business workforces by 2025, those who fail to adopt agile working environments will soon fall behind and have a lesser chance of encouraging top talent.
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If you would like more information or advice on how your business could adopt more agile working practices please contact us directly today on 01625 428926 or email us at enquiries@sitrusconsulting.com
