The new shape of work: Redefine flexible working 

COVID-19 has tested many people’s ability to be flexible in terms of how and where they work. The next challenge for employers is to help everyone move forward by designing and implementing flexible working strategies that are inclusive. Such strategies should embrace all employees at all life stages and harness the many different forms flexibility can take.  

Many employers say they will provide flexible work arrangements at a grander scale than before the coronavirus pandemic. The hope is that this will deliver real business value, including sustained engagement, productivity increases and greater access to expanded talent pools. Nearly all companies (98%) are taking steps to create a healthy hybrid work culture. This is having a positive effect. Since the pandemic, 83% of energised employees trust their organisation to let them work flexibly. However, engaging a blended workforce, in which employees have a range of different work experiences, will be challenging for both managers and teams. It will affect everything from hiring and learning to business development and performance management.

Leading companies are combining the best of the pre-COVID era (personalisation, global outreach and outcome-led actions) with the remote, flexible and digital models that are redefining work today. They are rethinking how different jobs can flex and how to offer their people more flexibility, whatever life-stage they’ve reached. They are innovating and creating solutions that recognise people’s financial, health and career aspirations. “Flexibility for all” is the new shape of work. Use our expertise to explore what’s possible, desirable and sustainable.