Recruiting, Talent

Offering Flexibility Is a Great Way to Attract Top Talent

When considering whether or not to stay with their current employer or look for a new job, 73% of respondents say the flexibility an employer offers aids in their decision.

flexible

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For the second year in a row, Capital One asked full-time professionals their thoughts on workplace design and environment as it relates to their productivity, innovation, and collaboration with colleagues. The results of the 2018 Work Environment Survey found that the 3,500 respondents across the country value flexibility and design, particularly when evaluating whether to stay at their current job or considering a new employment opportunity. Two key insights into this survey are highlighted below:
  • Flexibility is crucial: Flexible schedules prove to be crucial to talent attraction and retention—73% of workers say a flexible schedule is in their top two reasons to stay with a company, and flexible hours was the number one thing workers cited when asked what they expect from their next employer (58%).
  • Tech expectations: Employee expectations are high across the board, and technology is no exception. A majority of professionals (85%) across the country say it’s important that their next employer be an early adopter of technology, quick to invest in and implement new tech.

“Professionals today have high expectations for their experience in the workplace and what their employer provides for them,” said Stefanie Spurlin, Vice President, Workplace Solutions at Capital One. “The results of the 2018 Work Environment Survey clearly demonstrate the importance of design and flexibility to professionals across the country. By providing dynamic spaces to accommodate all kinds of work styles, companies can help facilitate the kind of collaboration and innovation that empowers employees to create breakthrough products and solutions for their customers.”
When considering a new job, two out of three (66%) full-time professionals believe that workplace design and environment is equally important or more important than office location. Executive level employees feel even more strongly about this, with more than three out of four (76%) saying workplace design is as, or more, important than location.
Benefits are a great way to attract talent, but most office professionals said their company doesn’t currently offer new trendy benefits such as: a mother’s nursing room (82%); environmentally friendly programs (77%); quiet, reflective spaces (72%); or onsite health center/wellness programs (71%). When asked to prioritize a single onsite benefit, the top responses were healthy food and beverage options (39%); onsite health center/wellness programs (33%); relaxation/social areas (32%); and quiet, reflective space (29%).
Furthermore, flexible hours are still the top priority for professionals, with 64% in 2017 and 65% in 2018 expecting it from the next company they work for. Responses indicated an increase in the importance of flexible workplace design, with 88% finding it important in 2018, up 3% from 85% in 2017. In 2018, 84% of professionals said that they had their best ideas when they are able to use flexible workspace options, up two points from 2017 at 82%.

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