Flexible working as the most important advantage for working parents

The topic of work-life balance is on everyone's lips. New studies by Regus, the rental office provider, show that working parents are increasingly demanding flexible working solutions from their employers so that they can spend more time with their families.

For working parents, working in coworking spaces can be an option. (Image: Regus)

The survey found that 85 % of working parents would willingly trade other benefits for flexible working. 81 % of respondents considered a better work-life balance to be the most important benefit. Flexible workspaces, also known as coworking spaces, offer individuals and employers spaces with an important advantage: there's no need to commute to the office or work at home, where people are easily distracted. The growing market for flexible workspaces shows that more and more such spaces are available in every conceivable location. This high availability is also a key benefit of flexible workspaces, as users no longer need to commute and can work closer to home. According to Regus' survey, working parents would prefer to spend the time they lose commuting with family (71 %). In second place is time for themselves such as a long bath or activities with friends (38 %).

Employers beware: Working parents are happy to compromise for flexible options

Employers should note that flexible working is a top priority for working parents. 96 % of working parents say they would like to work for an employer who offers flexible working as part of the compensation package, and 74 % say they would also change jobs if such an offer was made.

Maximum benefit from flexible options

For many parents, switching to flexible working equates to a significant increase in quality of life. For those currently on the lookout for such opportunities, Regus has put together some useful tips here:

  1. Negotiate with your employer: Convincing your employer to offer flexible working may be easier than you think, even if it's not offered yet. Perhaps you can trade a less valuable benefit for flexible working or negotiate new work hours. For example, working parents say they would be willing to give up benefits such as a company-sponsored gym membership for flexible working (85 %).
  2. Engage creatively with your location: Commuting doesn't necessarily involve walking from your front door to the office. If you'd rather work near a school or daycare center, or closer to a client than your main office, you can do so with the coworking spaces and flexible office spaces that are now available in countless locations.
  3. Put an end to presenteeism: Flexible workspaces are part of a new age in the world of work. Thanks to new technologies, employees are more flexible than ever before. For many parents, working hours from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. are incompatible with their children's daily schedules. To get the most benefit from flexible working, consider adjusting your hours so that you either start late and finish late or start early and finish early. Or, completely detach yourself from your work schedule and focus on delivering results.
  4. Use flexible working as a stopgap: You can't work flexibly full-time? Perhaps you can keep this option open at least for emergencies, such as when the kindergarten is closed or you have a lot of appointments. You don't have to switch completely to flexible working unless it's absolutely necessary. Still, it's reassuring to know that this option is open to you if you need it.

Working parents should express their wishes to their employers

Garry Gürtler, Country Manager of Regus Switzerland, emphasizes that "the pace of the modern working world makes it difficult for everyone to strike a balance between work and private life. Working parents are particularly affected by this and find it difficult to reconcile family and career. With flexible work schedules, parents can reduce their commute time and adapt their daily routine more flexibly to their private commitments. More and more working parents are showing an interest in the benefits of flexible working. For this reason, employers should be prepared for more and more parents expressing this desire during job interviews."

Source and further information: Regus

 

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