The Gentleman Magazine Issue 6 | December 2017 | Page 55

NINE OUT OF TEN
(89%) EMPLOYEES
BELIEVE FLEXIBLE
WORKING IS KEY
TO BOOSTING
PRODUCTIVITY
LEVELS
The study also highlights a disparity between the working
style options employees believe to be most motivating and
those that they are offered – as the vast majority of employees
who are currently offered flexible working believe it motivates
them, yet less than a third (30%) of business offer it. The deficit
is most apparent in the manufacturing industry where nearly
all employees currently offered the benefit (91%) believe
the opportunity to work more flexibly would improve their
motivation and productivity at work, yet less than a quarter
(23%) have the option.
Far from being an attitude associated only with younger
workers, flexible working is valued most by 35-44 year olds of
whom 59% value the opportunity ‘a great deal’, compared to
just 47% of millennials (under 35s).
Suggesting cash isn’t always king, good workplace culture was
cited as being crucial to improving workplace productivity,
while more than half of employees (53%) believe work they
find interesting boosts their productivity levels.
Furthermore, almost one on five (18%) employees cite poor
work life balance as a reason for leaving their last job – a
problem many companies could address with flexible working. 
Data published by HSBC reveals that flexible and remote
working are more likely to motivate staff and ultimately
increase workplace productivity than financial incentives.
A study of British businesses and employees found that nine
in ten employees surveyed (89%) consider flexible working
to be a key motivator to their productivity levels within the
workplace – a view shared equally among male and female
employees (87% and 90% respectively) – and more so than
financial incentives  (77%).  Alongside this, 81% of workers
who can work remotely believe this opportunity helps them
to improve their productivity, making a clear link between
flexible working cultures and increased business productivity
levels.
Regions where flexible working is more popular, such as
London (where 30% of workers have the option) and the South
East (32%), generally see the highest levels of productivity in the
UK (where productivity, as defined by the ONS, is calculated
as output per worker or output per hour worked ). In contrast,
only 18% of employees in Wales, where productivity levels
are lower, are offered the opportunity to work flexible hours –
suggesting that companies providing a better work life balance
may be paving the way for a more productive workforce as
employees feel more motivated.
The most productive sector – the professional services industry
– is the most likely to offer employees flexible hours, with 36%
of professional services employees saying it is available to
them. Whereas, in the retail, hospitality and leisure industry,
where one in four workers (24%) are not offered benefits or
perks of any kind (including flexible working), productivity is
lowest. In Q2 2017 output per hour stood at just £23.00 in this
sector (significantly lower than the national average of £32.20)
while the sector with the highest output per hour, professional
services, had an average of £68.10 per hour.
Amanda Murphy, Head of Commercial Banking at HSBC UK
said:
“Our research shows that for an overwhelming number of
workers, a more flexible way of working is more motivating
than financial incentives.  Today’s workforce wants a better
balance between their work and home lives and companies
that are recognising and making provision for this are creating
happier and more productive workplaces, which in turn is
translating to the bottom line.”
Becks Beere Managing Director of Avec UK, a design, product
development & manufacturer, said: “As a mum of four, I
understand the pressure to balance work and home life without
having to compromise on career progression or the overall
productivity of the business. For this reason I make sure Avec
has a strong and supportive flexible working culture.
“The wellbeing of our employees is the most important thing
to us, so we have a number of informal flexible working
arrangements in place to help our employees balance their
commitments both inside and outside work. Not only does this
help create a better environment, it shows our employees that
we value and care for them, which helps contribute towards a
more motivated and engaged workplace.
It seems to be working for us – in the last year we have more
than doubled our turnover, with further significant growth
already planned into 2018 and onwards. If businesses focus
on looking after their employees, they are more likely to be
motivated, happier and loyal to the company – which has a
strong impact on their output.” 
Dorset-based Avec designs, manufactures and sells stationery,
craft, gift, skincare and homeware products for big name
retailers across the UK – including John Lewis, Aldi and
Dunelm as well as Europe, North America and Australia.
The Gentleman Magazine | 55