A business is only as good as its workforce, and an important part of ensuring a strong workforce is implementing policies that support their mental health. Many factors can impact employees’ mental wellness on a daily basis, including where they work, how they work, and even how they get to work. When workers feel stressed, unsupported, or overworked, they are more likely to leave a job for one with policies that better accommodate them. Flexwork is an effective business strategy employers can use to improve workforce retention and overall job satisfaction. Supporting employees’ mental health by implementing alternative work arrangements and policies helps companies decrease commuter stress, empower their workers, and reduce business costs.
Daily commutes to work can be unpredictable and, in the worst cases, inconvenient. According to Fortune, the average American spent $8,466 and 239 hours commuting in 2022. Oftentimes this leads to commuter stress, which can hinder your employees’ mood, morale, and attendance before they even clock in. According to a survey of working professionals by FlexJobs, 87% of respondents stated that commuting impacts their stress levels to some degree – and the longer the commute, the greater the impact. Flexwork policies, such as telework and compressed work weeks, reduce the amount of time, money, and stress employees often spend on the road so they can feel refreshed and ready to get to work.
A study by Harvard Business Review found that 61% of employees would prefer if management allowed them the choice to come to the office as needed and work from home as needed. Flexwork offers the job autonomy employees often desire to have over their workday, which also improves their work-life balance, job satisfaction, and overall well-being. According to the American Psychological Association, increasing employee control could reduce job strains within workforces without reducing any actual workload. For example, allowing employees to have a say in their work schedule, break times, and communication style can make them feel more included and invested in their work. Giving employees more autonomy over the structure of their workday can also reduce feelings of anxiety about work and empower your workforce to meet both personal and professional commitments.
Supporting employees’ mental health can drive down your company costs. According to the Center for Prevention and Health Services, untreated mental health concerns can cost businesses $60,000 annually. This is because dissatisfaction or unhappiness at work is often associated with absenteeism, less productivity, illness, and turnover – all of which can leave companies bleeding financially. Implementing flexwork policies allow employees to have a better work-life balance, which supports their mental health and overall job satisfaction in the long-run. In fact, 96% of respondents to a survey by FlexJobs shared that a remote or hybrid working arrangement, one of the most popular flexwork strategies, would best support their mental health.
Flexwork offers numerous benefits to employees’ well-being, and it can also support your company as a whole! More employers today are looking to adopt flexible work policies as part of a larger business strategy that can improve employee engagement, increase productivity and morale, and enhance retention and recruitment.
Ready for a free flexwork assessment? We offer free flexwork consultations from nationally recognized industry leaders. Learn more about how you can benefit from a program customized to your business needs by visiting Georgia Commute Options or email telework@GaCommuteOptions.com.