No application without flexible working hours

Garry Gürtler, Country Manager of Switzerland at Regus: "Flexibility and the opportunity to work closer to home are becoming increasingly important.

In a new study, Regus, the world's leading provider of workspace solutions, shows that flexibility plays a crucial role for workers. Many of them would even turn down a job that didn't offer a flexible work model. More than a third of respondents say that if they had options to work flexibly, they would have stayed longer in a previous job. This illustrates the high value placed on flexible working among employees.

Flexible work

The study, with around 40,000 participants worldwide, found that flexible working offers a surprisingly wide range of benefits. Of particular importance is the shorter distance between work and home: If employees have to commute less and can instead get to work on foot or by bike, they feel more rested and are healthier. Perhaps even more important is the fact that shorter commutes allow employees to spend more time with family and friends.

Key findings of the study:

- Flexible workers have more free time, according to 73 % of respondents, because they can choose the place and scope of work;

- Four out of five respondents say that flexible workers are better able to balance work and personal life;

- 63 % indicate that flexible workers pay more attention to their well-being;

- Business owners believe that flexible workers are more rested (58 %) and healthier (67 %) thanks to shorter commutes, in addition to having more opportunities to exercise (76 %);

- However, the most significant benefit of flexible working, according to respondents, is that workers can spend more time with family and friends (94 %); therefore, it is not surprising that 98 % would choose a job with a flexible work model when in doubt;

- 69 % even indicate that they would turn down a job that did not allow flexible working.

Garry Gürtler, Country Manager of Switzerland at Regus: "Flexibility and the opportunity to work closer to home are becoming increasingly important. For today's workforce, a balance between their hectic professional lives and their physical and mental needs is increasingly important. Companies that want to attract and retain valuable, highly qualified workers can no longer ignore the importance of a good work-life balance."

"What is surprising is how many different benefits respondents see in working closer to home: In addition to being able to bike to work and sleep longer, respondents cited greater mindfulness and better health, as well as more time for friends, family and hobbies."

For more information, please visit www.regus.ch