To flex or not to flex

Our MD, Rachel was recently at a business launch with lots of high-flying business contacts. One senior manager turned to her and said, “well it’s about time we got everyone back in the office”. Nice sentiment she thought but they just don’t understand the market…

Rachel had to explain a bit further.

So, the “War for Talent” is real. It really is a buyers’ market – by which we mean employees have the power, in terms of supply and demand. They are in demand, and there is very little supply (due to a wave of baby boomers retiring, more 65-year-olds than ever before since 2020). So, anyone left in the workplace with skills and experience will be getting multiple job offers if they look (even if they are not looking, they will be approached). Even school leavers with very little experience (those Gen Z aged 16 to 20) will all be getting six offers each…. So why come and work for you?

This means in a very competitive marketplace – you’ll need to be flex. A global survey conducted at the end of last year, by Mercer found that the number one priority of workers globally was flexibility. Covid and working from home has also extended this request.

So, in order to attract (and keep) the best you will need to be flex.

Working from home

Yes, this means many workers will be seeking some work from home v days in the office flexible working options. It might also mean offering flexitime, like a 9-day fortnight, job share, or part-time hours. Flex might just secure you the best talent in the marketplace. We have a client where they all work from home (anywhere on the Eastern seaboard of Australia) and just go in one day a month…

If not offering flex hours or working conditions – they might just walk (and they can) right into another job. Maybe with your competitors? So, in the war for talentYes FLEX. Put it on your job adverts. Think of creative ways you can offer this – school hours only (10am to 2pm) no Friday afternoons for early starts, job share with a co-worker.

In the war for talent, you need to get strategic, and this is one way to keep up or stay ahead of the competition (at no extra cost). Those that don’t flex – we will see their workers leave. Or they won’t join you for a better offer with more “flexible conditions”.

In a tight marketplace you need to think strategically.

Author: Rachel Hill
October 27, 2024
Rachel Hill, Managing Director of Hill Consulting HRS and The Recruitment Skills Academy, brings 30+ years of global expertise in recruitment and talent strategy. She helps organisations attract top talent, improve processes, and upskill leaders. Passionate about candidate experience, diversity, and efficiency, Rachel’s mission is simple: “Recruit Better.”