Workplace Flexibility—Why Lifestyle Benefits Count

Workplace flexibility isn’t about doing yoga stretches at your desk or contorting your schedule to squeeze another meeting into your day. It’s about having the freedom to do your best work in a way that works best for you. 

This guide discusses how flexible workplaces are those that consider employees as the individuals they are. We’ll explore the business benefits of having a flexible mindset and how a lifestyle spending account can support your workplace culture. 

What are the key components of workplace flexibility?

A flexible work environment moves away from the confines of a 9-to-5 in-office model and acknowledges that work is something you do rather than a place or time of day. Here are some ways to offer a more flexible workplace for your onsite, remote, or hybrid employees. 

Remote work

Remote employees can work in a distraction-free, quiet home environment from anywhere in the world. This is important for diversity initiatives, enabling top talent who can’t afford to live within a short distance of the office to work for your company. 

Remote workers can keep in touch using a range of project management apps, direct messaging tools, email, video conferencing software, and phone calls. This ensures seamless communication and collaboration, making it easier for remote workers to feel connected with their team and stay on top of projects. 

Flexible schedules 

Ever noticed you’re at your most productive outside the traditional working day? That’s down to your body’s natural circadian rhythms, which are different from person to person. Perhaps you charge through your to-do list at 5 a.m. or get a second wind long after everyone else has gone to bed at night. Whatever your preference, flexible scheduling options might include: 

• 9/80 work weeks: Working 80 hours over nine days instead of ten, resulting in a three-day weekend every other week. 
• Compressed work weeks: This option allows employees to work longer hours each day and have one or two days off per week. For example, they might work four 10-hour days and take Friday off. 
• Flex-time: Employees can come in earlier or later depending on what works best for their schedule but still complete the required number of hours each day/week. 
• Frontloaded work weeks: Employees work more hours on Monday and Tuesday, then taper off toward the end of the week. This makes the most of your post-weekend energy levels and helps prevent burnout toward the end of the week. 

Job sharing 

Job sharing allows two employees to divide one full-time role between them. Each person works part-time hours but shares responsibility for the same job. This can be especially beneficial for working parents or those who have other commitments outside of work. 

Paid time off and leave policies 

Generous PTO policies allow employees to recharge, take care of personal matters, or simply enjoy a well-earned break without the worry of financial loss. Types of leave commonly offered include vacation days, sick leave, personal days, and mental health days. 

In addition to traditional PTO, many organizations are expanding their policies to include parental leave for both mothers and fathers, bereavement leave, and extended sick leave for employees dealing with severe health issues. These policies affirm a company’s commitment to its employees’ health, family, and overall life balance, encouraging a more satisfied and productive workforce.

What are the advantages of workplace flexibility?

Being more creative with how you allow your employees to tackle their work tasks and responsibilities produces the following benefits for employees and the overall business: 

Improved productivity 

Straight off the bat, let’s talk about productivity. Employers who’ve never dipped their toe into the flexible working water may worry that easing up on boundaries will cause output to drop. But the opposite is true. An Owl Labs report finds that 90% of remote workers are equally as productive working remotely than in the office, and 55% work more hours from home than they would if they attended a physical workplace. 

Jamie Gray, a Senior Commercial Claims Examiner, explains why unlimited PTO and the flexibility of remote work gives her a productivity boost: 

“I haven’t had the urge to take a day off in 6 months. I work from home and have always been very productive. I have more than double the workload of my previous job, but by being happy and no micro-managing, my productivity has also more than doubled. It makes all the difference in the world when you find the right fit with a company!” 

Boosted performance 

In a similar way, giving employees free rein over how they spend their working day enhances their overall performance. Sharanya Ravi Chandran explains why: 

“Being treated this way actually inspires more ownership and responsibility on my end. I enjoy being managed and learning from managers who give me autonomy and respect. I want to do better, I want to give my best, I don’t want to let them down.” 

Demonstration of trust 

Managers account for up to 70% of variance in employee engagement scores, according to Gallup. It’s no surprise that employees who feel trusted by their leaders are more willing to knuckle down and produce quality results for businesses. 

Business Communication Instructor Stacy Moore describes why trust is a core part of workplace flexibility and the foundation of any successful team. She said: 

“As a leader, it’s important to empower your team and give them the autonomy to work in a way that suits them best. By focusing on results and providing the necessary support, you create a culture of accountability and productivity. Work-life balance is crucial to prevent burnout and ensure long-term success. It’s refreshing to see a leader who values their team as individuals and recognizes the importance of a healthy work environment.”

Greater inclusivity 

For some employees, flexible arrangements are the only way they can work. People with disabilities, working parents, and those who are neurodiverse may not be able to attend a physical office environment or may need to choose working hours that best suit their needs. Companies that don’t adopt such an inclusive approach may repel talent.

Improved work-life balance 

When we allow employees to take ownership of their working day, we’re also handing back control of their personal lives. Without a hefty commute acting as bookends on either side of work, employees can win back valuable hours to spend with their family, friends, and hobbies.

The National Bureau of Economic Research finds remote work saves a global average of 72 minutes per day, although this reduces to 55 minutes in the U.S. Unsurprisingly, then, 35% of workers who can work from home want to do it all the time. 

Greater financial well-being 

There was a time when employees needed to attend work to make money. Nowadays, the cost of getting to work can be prohibitive. Owl Labs reports that if hybrid employees weren’t able to work remotely, 29% would expect a pay increase to make up for the cost of going to work. The daily average cost is $51, rising to $71 for pet owners. These include the following: 

• Parking = $8 
• Breakfast and coffee = $13
• Lunch = $16
• Commuting = $14
• Pet care = $20 

In an economic climate where 1 in 3 employees live paycheck to paycheck, flexible work arrangements can be a game-changer for financial well-being. 

The impact of lifestyle benefits on employee well-being

All the above advantages are important, but the impact on overall well-being tops the lot. When we commit to offering a range of holistic lifestyle benefits to our workers, this has a powerful impact on mind and body: 

Enhanced physical health 

Working remotely means you’re less likely to be affected when the latest sickness bug hits the office. Better yet, you’ll have more hours of the day to engage in fitness rather than being stuck in the car or on public transport. Whether you use the time to walk the dog, take a jog, or attend a fitness class, it’s great for your cardiovascular and musculoskeletal health. And there’s even time to squeeze in a quick shower before you return to your desk. 

Better mental health 

Research also suggests flexible working reduces stress too. Owl Labs report that 59% of full-time office workers’ stress levels have increased in the past year compared to 55% of hybrid workers and 36% of remote workers. 

This might be because remote workers have more space away from the toxicity of bad company culture or because they have more time to commit to their well-being—think mindfulness, immersing themselves in nature, or the occasional massage treat. 

Provide flexible, supportive lifestyle benefits with Benepass

Benepass offers a flexible Lifestyle Spending Account enabling your workers to select from a range of employee lifestyle benefits to support your flexible culture. Employers provide a set fund for employees to spend on the perks that best complement their personal life. Here’s how this post-tax arrangement works: 

• You’ll decide what you want to offer as part of your LSA, for example, wellness, mental health, or food. 
• We’ll code your unique policy into the Benepass platform and issue Benepass Visa cards to your workers. 
• We’ll connect your payroll system to Benepass to auto-enroll your employees. 
• You’ll communicate your new LSA benefit to your workforce and invite them to log in and start using their flexible perks from day one. 

Ready to support your employees wherever and however they work? Book a free Benepass demo today or contact sales@getbenepass.com to connect with a benefits specialist.