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Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
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Flexible Working summary
Gemma Dale
How to Implement Flexibility in the Workplace to Improve Employee and Business Performance
24 mins
Brief summary
'Flexible Working' by Gemma Dale is an insightful guide for modern professionals. It presents helpful tips and tools for successfully integrating work and life by harnessing the benefits of flexible working.
Table of Contents
Flexible Working
Summary of 8 key ideas
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Key idea 1 of 8
Adopting flexible work practices helps businesses and employees.
Picture a busy day in the city. A young father drops his two kids at daycare and heads to the office. After four hours, he picks them up and ends the day working from home. Across town, a young student finishes a ten-hour shift. She’ll only work four days this week. Meanwhile, her neighbor, a senior executive, hasn't been to any meetings for weeks, because she’s busy pursuing some hobbies.
Each of these individuals is approaching work in a different way, but they have one thing in common: each is an example of successful flexible working in action. And they’re all doing work that lets them balance their professional and personal lives without sacrificing productivity.
The key message here is: Adopting flexible work practices helps businesses and employees.
Flexible work is any type of working arrangement that is not the on-site, nine-to-five, five-days-a-week norm. By ditching the standard nine-to-five model, employees and employers get to adjust when and how work gets done. It could mean putting in longer hours for fewer days, teleworking full- or part-time, or just working select hours in the “gig economy.”
Some of these practices are as old as work itself, while others are made possible by new technology. In either case, the idea of flexible work is becoming more popular. Some studies report up to 87 percent of employees saying they’d prefer to have flexible work arrangements. And research in the United States has found that 35 percent would even change jobs to get it.
So, why is flexibility so attractive? Well, for workers, it cuts down on the stress of sticking to a one-size-fits-all schedule. Everyone has different needs and responsibilities, so being allowed to tailor the workday can be very helpful. In fact, research from YouGov shows that only 16 percent of workers would stick with the nine-to-five if given the choice.
Flexibility works for employers, too. Study after study shows that it’s easier to attract and keep the best people when you offer flexible work arrangements. Employees with more control over their hours also tend to be more productive, engaged, and creative.
So far, so promising. But what comes next? In the next blink, we’ll dig a little deeper into what this means for the future.
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What is Flexible Working about?
Flexible Working (2021) is a practical guide to organizing work outside the standard nine-to-five. This helpful handbook explores the diverse array of working arrangements possible in the contemporary world.
Flexible Working Review
Flexible Working (2021) by Gemma Dale explores the benefits and challenges of having a flexible work arrangement. Here's why this book is worth reading:
- It offers a practical roadmap for implementing flexible work arrangements, allowing readers to navigate the changing landscape of work and take advantage of its opportunities.
- Backed by research and expert insights, the book provides a comprehensive understanding of the different types of flexibility and their potential impact on productivity, well-being, and work-life balance.
- With compelling case studies and stories of individuals who have successfully embraced flexible working, the book showcases the positive outcomes and dispels common misconceptions, making it an engaging and informative read.
Who should read Flexible Working?
- Businesses looking for more agile work arrangements
- Workers wanting to see life outside the nine-to-five
- Anyone curious about the future of work
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Flexible Working FAQs
What is the main message of Flexible Working?
The main message of Flexible Working is that flexible work arrangements can lead to increased productivity and work-life balance.
How long does it take to read Flexible Working?
The reading time for Flexible Working varies depending on the reader's speed, but it typically takes several hours. However, the Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.
Is Flexible Working a good book? Is it worth reading?
Flexible Working is worth reading because it provides valuable insights and practical tips for navigating flexible work arrangements, improving work-life balance, and boosting productivity.
Who is the author of Flexible Working?
The author of Flexible Working is Gemma Dale.
What to read after Flexible Working?
If you're wondering what to read next after Flexible Working, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- Workstyle by Lizzie Penny and Alex Hirst
- The 3-Minute Rule by Brant Pinvidic
- Teams That Work by Scott Tannenbaum and Eduardo Salas
- The 4 Day Week by Andrew Barnes with Stephanie Jones
- Pitch Anything by Oren Klaff
- Dare to Lead by Brené Brown
- The Truth About Immigration by Zeke Hernandez
- Flow by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi
- Give and Take by Adam Grant
- Simple Truths of Leadership Playbook by Ken Blanchard & Randy Conley