It may come as no surprise that new research by global workplace provider Regus found the key driver in the rise of flexible work is employees desire for improve work:life balance.

According to the research, canvassing the opinions of more than 44,000 business people from more than 100 different countries, 66 per cent of Canadian professionals say the need to improve work-life balance is driving up the increase in flexible working, while over half (51%) say the wish to work closer to home is also a key factor.

However, it isn’t just the employee that stands to gain from a flexible work environment, the employer does too. Here are the key drivers for the rise in flexible working according to Canadian professionals:

For the Employee:

1. To improve work-life balance(66%)
2. The desire to work closer to home (51%)
3. To combat rise of cost of commuting (36%)

For the Employer:

1. The need to create an agile organization to meet changing market demands (37%)
2. To attract staff from a wider talent pool  (32%)
3. To comply with best practice employee flexibility standards (24%)

The Benefits of Flexible Working For Employers
Not only do employees have a strong interest in flexible working, but employers should also have an equally, if not greater, interest in encouraging flexible working. Flexibility is seen as a way of creating agile organizations that are better able to cope with rapidly changing market conditions. Flexible working in fact allows firms to expand or retract rapidly and without incurring in hefty penalties. Firms using flexible working are also better placed to attract talent from a wider pool, especially if they comply with best-practice employee flexibility standards.

“Flexible working boosts efficiency and cuts costs, as businesses can reduce underused office space and operate in a more agile way, making decisions on a per-needs basis,” said Wayne Berger, VP of Regus Canada. “While the drivers for flexible working may differ for businesses and employees, both stand to gain. The fact that businesses are already benefitting from flexible working to increase their agility is good news. In addition, helping employees to find a more satisfying balance between their personal and professional lives creates a healthier and more productive workforce.”