The fallout of Covid 19 has been felt by organisations around the globe, forcing changes to their operating models to keep up with the latest developments and retain top talent. These changes have propelled the proliferation of flexible working, requiring us to gain a more profound understanding of this model.  

Even before the pandemic struck, concerns had been raised about whether the widely accepted norm of a rigid 9-to-5 structure should still be considered best practice in most offices. Flexible working has been making its way into the day-to-day work life of those with greater responsibilities, obligations outside of work or who tend to perform better when not bound by certain hours.  

Flexible working has evolved rapidly over the past few years and the term covers a wide range of working patterns that differ from the usual arrangement. This article seeks to uncover the benefits that this new approach offers and examine whether flexible working is here to stay. 

Define and categorise flexible working 

Flexible working, sometimes referred to as agile or smart working, are terms used to denote the process of adapting new approaches to the current working scheme with the hope of creating a more flexible and reactive operating model.  

The practice enables enterprises to prioritise the wellbeing of their employees by allowing them to tailor their work schedule to meet their personal needs, while still maintaining productivity and commitment.  

Flexible working can be divided into three main categories which stipulates where, when and how one can work:  

         1. Flexible location working 

• • Working from home or remotely for part or all of the time
  • Working across offices
  • Hybrid workplace   

         2. Flexible working hours 

• • Compressed work days 
  • Flexible hours (which allows you to fit your working hours around agreed core times) 
  • Staggered hours (which allows you to start and finish your days at different times) 
  • Shift working  

          3. Flexible tasks

• • Job sharing  
  • Part-time work 

(Source: Flexible working – what is it – Citizens Advice)

What does flexible working bring to the table?

The process of experimenting with different types of working styles is essential for both employers and employees to figure out which approach(es) work best for them. Flexible working enables both parties to take a break from the ordinary working scheme which they might have been stifled by, in order to fuel a shift to an agile operating model for the entire business.  

      1. Employees

Flexible working certainly brings about a sense of autonomy and freedom to employees. It allows them to propose where, when and how they are would like to work and how these changes can help them perform better without having to worry about personal obligations.  

This approach gives employees a sense of control over their own time and how they should allocate it to each of their tasks. When employees can determine how they are going fulfill their responsibilities, it empowers them to be more proactive and productive since there are no constraints on how they should work.  

The frustration from the long commute during rush hours can also be alleviated. Evidently, this approach can also help cut employees some slack in terms of commuting time, as well as fuel costs and consumption.   

      2. Employers

By adopting a flexible working model, employers decide to entrust their employees with accountability over their own performance, implying that the organisation is receptive to the idea of an agile business model.  

This approach is a great means to boost employees’ morale and builds a culture of openness, as well as an employee friendly brand. Flexible working also enhances the employment process, since there is a pool of talented candidates out there who cannot fit into the 9 to 5 structure, so companies that are open to flexible working stay on top of their list.  

How NashTech promotes and executes its flexible working model

At NashTech, we prioritise the wellbeing of our employees and we always seek to build a flexible and open environment where our people can thrive.  

With thorough examination and consideration, NashTech has been putting the hybrid working model into practice with the hope to assist our employees when the pandemic hits or when they are dealing with personal issues.  

By setting up a lightweight office in Danang, we are seeking to reinforce our hybrid working scheme and facilitate the process of shifting to a more agile operating model. NashTech Danang marks a milestone in our efforts to alleviate the pressure of rigid working locations for our employees.  

Watch the Q&A session featuring NashTech’s Managing Director – Cuong Nguyen and NashTech’s Human Resources Director – Thanh Nguyen on our new lightweight office in Danang here.