Flexible scheduling—the ability for employees to have greater control over their work hours—has become a crucial component of workforce management. Flex scheduling allows organizations to align shifts with both operational needs and individual employee preferences, ensuring a balanced approach to staffing. This flexibility has emerged as a top priority for employees seeking to better manage their work-life balance, making it a key factor in employee satisfaction.
In fact, a FlexJobs survey found that 80% said they would be more loyal to their employer if they had flexible working arrangements.
The connection between flexible scheduling and employee retention is clear: when employees are granted the flexibility to adjust their schedules, they are more likely to feel valued and less likely to experience burnout. In turn, this leads to greater job satisfaction and longer employee tenure, helping organizations retain talent in an increasingly competitive labor market. For companies aiming to reduce turnover, flexible scheduling has proven to be an effective strategy to not only retain top talent but also foster a more engaged and productive workforce.
What is Having a Flexible Schedule?
Having a flexible schedule means employees have greater control over when, where, and how they work. Unlike traditional fixed schedules, flexible scheduling allows individuals to adjust their work hours to better align with personal commitments, energy levels, and productivity patterns. This could include options like:
- Shift Swapping: Trading shifts with colleagues to accommodate personal needs.
- Custom Availability: Setting preferred working hours based on personal or family schedules.
- Time-Off Requests: Using mobile tools to request leave seamlessly without disrupting operations.
- Overtime Volunteering: Opting for extra hours when it suits their financial or personal goals.
- Bidding for Open Shifts: Picking up additional work as needs arise.
This adaptability benefits both employees and organizations, fostering a balanced approach to staffing that meets operational demands while prioritizing employee well-being.
Different Types of Scheduling Adjustments
With flexible scheduling, employees can adjust their work hours in multiple ways, empowering them to strike the right balance between their personal lives and job responsibilities. For instance, shift swapping allows workers to trade shifts with colleagues, ensuring that both employees and the organization maintain coverage without compromising personal plans. Employees can also volunteer for overtime to earn additional income during periods when they are more available, helping them to better manage financial goals while boosting operational capacity during busy times.
Additionally, submitting time-off requests through an easy-to-use mobile app simplifies planning for both workers and managers, reducing friction and creating a smoother workflow. Flex scheduling tools also allow employees to set availability preferences so they can work during hours that best suit their energy levels or personal commitments. Employees can even bid for open shifts or pick up extra hours when unexpected needs arise, giving them more control over their earnings and time.
Why Flexible Scheduling Boosts Employee Retention
By offering a range of scheduling options, organizations foster a workplace culture that values employee autonomy and flexibility. According to that same FlexJobs survey, 52% indicated they’d already tried negotiating flexible work with their current employer. By offering flexible scheduling, organizations can reduce the likelihood of employees leaving in search of better flexibility elsewhere.
Here are some of the motivating factors behind why flex scheduling lowers turnover rates.
Meets Generational Expectations
As the workforce evolves, work-life balance has emerged as one of the top priorities. Now making up a significant portion of the labor market, millennials and Gen Z are driving the demand for greater flexibility in how, when, and where they work. Deloitte’s 2024 Gen Z and Millennial Survey found that both generations prioritize work-life balance over learning and development and even pay when choosing an employer.
Unlike older generations that traditionally prioritized job stability or earning potential, younger employees are placing more value on the ability to integrate their personal lives with their professional responsibilities.
Enhances Employee Engagement
A 2024 Gallup survey found that disengaged employees are responsible for nearly $1.9 trillion in lost productivity each year. When employees have greater control over their schedules, they tend to be more engaged in their work. This engagement stems from the sense of ownership and autonomy employees feel when they can adjust their schedules to better align with their personal lives.
Flexibility allows employees to work during their peak productivity hours, reducing distractions and stress while promoting a more focused and efficient work environment. The result is not only higher productivity but also a deeper emotional investment in the organization, as employees feel trusted and empowered. These engaged employees are more likely to build a stronger connection with the company’s mission and goals, reducing turnover.
Reduces Burnout
Burnout is commonly associated with the physical and emotional exhaustion that comes from being overworked, particularly in environments where employees have little control over their schedules. The World Health Organization (WHO) even recognizes burnout as an occupational phenomenon, characterized by feelings of energy depletion, increased mental distance from work, and reduced professional efficacy.
By allowing employees to manage their own schedules, flexible scheduling helps minimize the stress associated with rigid work hours, reducing burnout.
Reduce Turnover & Attract Talent With Indeavor Engage
Flexibility empowers employees to take control of their schedules, reducing the friction between work and personal commitments. This approach, which enables real-time adjustments, is particularly beneficial in industries where dynamic scheduling is essential for maintaining operational efficiency.
Mobile solutions like Indeavor Engage streamline this process by allowing employees to manage their schedules from anywhere. Whether it’s swapping a shift with a colleague, volunteering for extra hours, or requesting time off, the ease of managing these tasks via mobile leads to higher employee satisfaction. When workers can adapt their schedules to better fit their lives, they’re more likely to feel valued and engaged. This flexibility reduces burnout and fosters a sense of autonomy, both of which are critical for long-term retention.
For companies aiming to minimize turnover and boost productivity, flexible scheduling offers a practical solution that aligns business needs with employee well-being, ensuring a motivated and loyal workforce. At the heart of flex scheduling lies mobile workforce management, a critical tool in keeping employees engaged and motivated.
