Employees enjoying a flexible work schedule will also bring some enjoyment to their employers—they'll work longer hours and be more productive.
A report from iPass finds that 75 percent of mobile workers work more hours due to workshifting—flexible work schedules that enable employees to work whenever and wherever they want. More than half (55 percent) were working at least 10 or more additional hours each week as a result of their more flexible schedules and 12 percent were working 20 or more additional hours.
No 9 to 5 situation here: 38 percent of mobile workers work before their commute, 25 percent work during their commute, 37 percent work during lunch, and 37 percent work at night— each and every day. This information comes from iPass's Mobile Workforce Report, which examined workshifting in today's workplace.
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But seems those employees don't mind the extra hours. Overwhelmingly, mobile workers reported workshifting allows them to be more productive and efficient. And 64 percent of them also reported an improved work/life balance and more than half say they feel more relaxed because of their flexible work.
"Even though mobile workers are putting in more hours, we are starting to see the pendulum swing back to the center on disconnecting, with 68 percent of mobile workers disengaging from technology occasionally to spend time with their families," says Barbara Nelson, chief technology officer at iPass. "It appears that the mobile workforce is getting a better hold on their work-life balance."
In fact, a third of them say they would look for employment elsewhere if they didn't have a flexible work schedule. More than half (57 percent) say they would be less satisfied with their job, and 45 percent would feel less productive without their flexible schedules.
"Employee turnover is a significant expense for any company," Nelson says. "The cost to rehire a third of your workforce would clearly cause most companies to fail. This is an important finding that enterprises should consider when making their strategic mobility decisions."
The report, which surveyed more than 3,100 mobile employees at 1,100 enterprises worldwide, also revealed 47 percent of mobile employees work from home daily and 99 percent at least occasionally. Also, 88 percent of mobile workers report working from the road, 84 percent from a coffee shop, and 77 percent outside using a city-mesh Wi-Fi at least on an occasional basis.
And even though 95 percent of employees say their employers currently either encourage or tolerate workshifting, 40 percent would like a more flexible work environment.
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