The Future of Flexible Working

It is becoming widely considered that flexible working is on the rise, and the momentum for its popularity amongst both employers and employees will continue to grow to a point where the concept of full time work will be eradicated and flexible working will become the new normal.

We may have only scratched the surface of flexible working, but with Brexit looming, 2018 could be a big step forward for flexible working and something some companies have said they might have to rely on more to take their business forward.

Looking ahead then and not to just the next year or so, what is the future of flexible working?

Collaboration

We all know that things like Skype and other conferencing platforms have made it possible to communicate remotely and this has allowed for flexible working to emerge in the workplace, on an initially small scale (1 to 2 days working from home as example).

But we’re seeing more platforms surface that allow remote collaboration for many different aspects of work, not just communication. Factor in the many different time zones, could we see better productivity in the workplace giving the fact that technology and flexible working allows a company to operate on a 24 hour basis?

Where could it end though? Could we risk losing that human touch that sometimes is naturally needed, rather than relying heavily on technology for something that could easily be solved by speaking to the person next to you? Would work social life suffer as a result? It’s said that you’ll spend most of your time in your life with the ones you work with. There could be a point where you’re working with people whom you’ve never met or been in the same room with.

The possibilities that collaboration and flexible working bring can be both exciting but scary.

Downsizing

A big outlay for companies normally is rent for office space and the many operational costs that can come with an office. With the demand for flexible working increasing, will companies want to downsize their physical presence if there is no need for a large and lavish office that houses its employees, most of which work remotely? The answer is likely to be no and this could save companies huge amounts of money, allowing them to better invest elsewhere in the company.

A better life

Flexible working can owe its growing influence to the advancement of technology its sensible to say and what’s been discussed so far, can have one huge positive benefit for everyone, and that is a better life, or more importantly a better work/life balance.

The fact that flexible working and technology allows remote collaboration across different time zones and can save money for companies and allow them to better invest elsewhere – we’ll undoubtedly see a knock on effect in which productivity will enhance, more opportunities created, the economy grows, and hours lessen; ultimately leaving people more time to spend with their family and friends and concentrate on the important things in life.

Goodbye 9 to 5

One eventual outcome of flexible working’s ascension in the workplace will be the end of the 9 to 5. We know now that the younger generation of workers are just not interested in climbing the corporate ladder as was the fashion about 20 years ago. And with the amount of opportunities that the freelance and gig economy is creating, workers are opting to go self-employed and say goodbye to the 9 to 5. People are choosing the freedom and flexibility that modern work life has embraced, rather than stay chained to the unsatisfying rewards of full time work.

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Flexible working is the future! Flexible working is one of the huge benefits of working as a contractor so why not start your journey today as a contractor and register with iContract for free at www.icontract.co.uk