Top 5 Reasons Flexible Working Reduces Workplace Stress

April is international stress awareness month, and we feel it is important to recognise how workplace stress can impact employees, business owners, and businesses. Stress in the workplace is a common issue and can arise due to an array of factors, internal and external. These factors range from workload, tight deadlines, management, personal life, and more. However, stress can negatively affect our mental and physical health and decrease productivity and job satisfaction.

Stress in the workplace leads to burnout, which negatively impacts not only employees but also the company. Workplace stress often leads to a vicious cycle that can take a toll on the overall team, lead to staff turnover, and ultimately loss of talent. Therefore, it is important to have strategies to promote and encourage mental and physical wellbeing.

Fortunately, there are many ways that business owners and managers can battle workplace stress. One is adopting the flexible working model, which lies in the fine line between collaboration and autonomy. Flexible working provides an opportunity to adjust to changing circumstances and adapt to meet the individual needs of an entire team.

Here are the top five reasons we think flexible working reduces stress in the workplace.

Encourages a Team Building Atmosphere 

Flexible offices promote a team atmosphere through communal breakout spaces that make your workplace more than just an office. Community hubs allow team members to step away from their work environment without leaving the office. Whether to play a game with a coworker, co-work with a neighbour, or eat lunch away from their desk, choosing an office space that includes a communal breakout space can help keep stress at bay and provide flexibility for your team on how they work at the office and how they interact with each other.

Increases Collaboration among Team Members

Another benefit of the communal vibe that comes with a flexible workspace is that it increases collaboration and communication among your team. Remote working often is not conducive to a team-building atmosphere and can negatively affect the individual employee, who may become disconnected, frustrated, or overwhelmed. By combining the benefits of remote working and the office, you can achieve a better working environment for your staff. The flexible model allows flexibility while providing a home base for your business to work in the office, hold meetings onsite, and engage in team-building activities in the community hub. Physical togetherness promotes this team morale and collaborative and communicative relationships among staff members.

Boosts Productivity in the Workplace

All of your employees will have different personal lives that can affect the times they can work. The flexible working design allows full access to all your employees outside the traditional 9 to 5 work day. As a business owner, it is imperative that you recognise that you might have some employees that are more productive in the morning, afternoon, or evening, and the 9 to 5 work day might not suit them. You may employ parents who must be home by a particular time to meet their kids or university students who can only work in the evenings. With 24-7 access to all amenities, you and your employees are more likely to achieve your goals and feel less stressed.

Allows Autonomy for Each Employee 

Furthermore, each person works differently and will also thrive in a different working environment. Your business will thrive in a space carefully designed to include a variety of working environments that will meet the individual needs of your staff. This diversity in design also ensures productivity in the workplace. A flexible workspace allows you to work wherever suits your personal preferences. For example, an employee who prefers a quiet and peaceful space can work in the office. However, they can use the shared workspace if they thrive in a collaborative environment. By working in a comfortable environment, your employees become less stressed and more likely to enjoy and feel fulfilled in their work.

Creates a Fun and Sustainable Environment 

The traditional office can often be synonymous with a rigid, dull, 9 to 5 structure that is unchangeable. Rigidity produces stress for anyone struggling to keep up, conform, or fit into something not designed for them. However, the flexible office model rejects this setup and creates spaces that meet the modern needs of businesses and employees alike. An environment that is fun, colourful, collaborative, and flexible is often more sustainable for your employee and your business. Sustainability is the key to reducing stress for your employees and company.

Conclusion

Flexible working has become increasingly popular in recent years due to its numerous benefits for employees and businesses. The flexible workplace model can reduce stress levels in the workplace by promoting an environment based on teamwork, collaboration, and increased productivity without sacrificing work-life balance, personal autonomy, or fun and sustainable working habits. By embracing flexible working, businesses can benefit from a happier, more motivated workforce and increased productivity, making it a win-win for employees and businesses alike.

Contact one of our community managers to learn more about our flexible model at Venaspace Offices.

Katrin Dakeva (Bournemouth)

📧 katrin@venaspace.com

📱07507 125442

Billie-Lou Lingham (Exeter)

📧 billie-lou@venaspace.com

📱07957 629631

Owain Pentney Ridd (Plymouth)

📧 owain@venaspace.com

📱07951 580511