Employers might be finding a middle ground with employees who are reluctant to return to the office: offering a bit of flexibility on when they need to be at work. This approach, highlighted in a recent analysis by Flexa, a U.K.-based global job platform, focuses on flexible workplaces.
The analysis revealed a growing trend in June where 14% of job seekers, up from 11% in April, preferred roles with “core hours.” This concept allows employees to work during specified hours, like 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., but complete their tasks at their own pace. This flexibility usually involves slight adjustments to start or finish times, while maintaining regular work hours. In June, nearly 80% of job postings mentioned this benefit, a significant jump from 50% just two months earlier.
Flexa’s data, gathered from over 4,000 job posts and the preferences of nearly 9,500 job seekers in the U.S. and Europe, indicates that the desire for flexibility isn’t just about where people work. It’s also about when they work. The demand for core hours is rising, albeit gradually. By June, only 39% of workers were indifferent to having flexible hours, a notable drop from 49% in April, marking the lowest level since December 2021.
Interestingly, many employers align with the idea of flexible working hours, particularly as asynchronous work and output-focused management become more common. However, they seem hesitant to go beyond offering “a little flexibility.” The number of job vacancies offering core hours fell sharply from 15% in April to just 8% in June.
A 2022 survey by digital payroll firm Deluxe found that some employees might even value flexible working hours over the ability to work from home. One in five employees at small to mid-sized businesses suggested that flexible scheduling was the most important change their employer could make to improve their work environment.
While flexible scheduling is gaining traction, employer support for hybrid work remains strong. Nearly two-thirds of employers surveyed by the Society for Human Resource Management in 2024 offer a hybrid work model. Yet, many companies haven’t fully adapted to support hybrid work, with a report by TechSmith Corp., Global Workplace Analytics, and Carytid Workplace Consultancy noting that most employees haven’t received training on hybrid-related skills.
Ultimately, the emphasis on flexible working hours reflects employees’ desire for a better work-life balance or the need to offset less control over their work location. Even small adjustments in start and finish times can make a significant difference in employee satisfaction.
