What is flexibility in the workplace?

In previous years, it was exceptionally rare to hear of a business that allowed its employees to work wherever they wanted, and even whenever they wanted, too. However, since the pandemic caused the world to adapt and change, flexible working has been on the rise. Now, one of the hottest topics in the business world, more and more companies are realising the benefits of flexible working and how it can boost productivity and creativity. But what exactly do we mean by ‘flexible working’ and what is a ‘flexible workspace’?

What is flexible working?

Rather than enforcing a rigid 9-to-5 office environment, flexible working allows employees to work in a ‘non-traditional’ way, and work whenever and wherever suits their own schedule, and as and when their services are required. For flexible working to work effectively, employers must trust their employees to work without constant monitoring. In turn, employees need to respect the faith that has been put in them and learn to embrace a different way of working that offers a less consistent routine.

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What is a flexible working space?

A flexible workspace provides business owners and professionals with a place to practice flexible working and all the necessary resources and equipment they need to thrive - away from a more traditional office environment. Designed for freelancers, startups, small business owners, remote teams, and professionals, flexible office spaces come in various forms. They can include a mix of private offices, coworking desks, meeting rooms, business support services and much more.

For example, Cloud Spaces is the Gulf region’s leading flexible workspace provider. With five branches in the UAE, one in Riyadh and one more location in Saudi Arabia due to open in Q4 of 2025, it is on a mission to inspire creativity and innovation and reshape the way that the region conducts work and business. Open to businesses and professionals from every industry, each Cloud Spaces branch offers a variety of comfortable and stylish coworking lounges and workspaces, alongside private fully furnished and serviced offices, meeting rooms, board rooms, hot desks, creative studios, event spaces, onsite cafes, and much more. Offering day passes and monthly, quarterly and yearly plans, flexible workspaces such as Cloud Spaces are designed to make flexible working accessible to all.

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What are the advantages of flexible working?

Flexible working allows professionals and businesses to work smarter and more efficiently.

Some of the many advantages of embracing flexible working include:

• Boosted productivity – One of the main positives of flexible working is that it boosts productivity. Professionals tend to feel more motivated and positive about their work, and it can boost morale amongst a workforce. This isn’t just a sweeping statement, in fact the impact of flexible working on productivity has been proven through several studies. For instance, the Stanford Institute for Economic Policy Research found that employees who worked from home were 13 percent more productive than those who worked in an office.
• Enhanced commitment to work – While some employers might fear that flexible working will provide employees with opportunities to slack and work less hours, the opposite is true. A survey by job marketplace Airtasker found that flexible workers tend to work 1.4 days more per month than employees on more rigid schedules.
• Healthier work life balance – Despite what we have noted above, flexible workers also enjoy a better work-life balance. Being able to set their own schedule makes professionals less anxious and stressed, and this allows them to feel happier and more satisfied in other areas of their lives.
• Networking opportunities – Working in a flexible workspace such as Cloud Spaces allows business owners, freelancers and remote workers to connect, network and collaborate with other successful professionals. This can inspire the creation of new ideas and new business partnerships, and help entrepreneurs take their business to the next level.
• Cost saving – Adopting flexible working policies or joining a flexible workspace rather than renting a private office, can save businesses and freelancers considerable money. Including access to comfortable working spaces, office equipment, admin support, community events and much more. The flexible working memberships at Cloud Spaces are available on a monthly, quarterly and yearly basis, while day passes are also available.
• Better staff retention – Flexible working can improve mutual respect between employees and employers. Employees who are trusted to work remotely, given extra freedom and granted the opportunity to enjoy a higher quality of life are more likely to appreciate and value their employers, and stay with a company for longer. In turn, improved staff retention saves businesses time and money and boosts the quality of their work
• Greater engagement – Employees who are allowed to work flexibly tend to be more engaged at work, and more willing to put in extra effort
• More candidates – For employers, one of the other key benefits of flexible working is that it allows them to pick and choose from the best candidates from anywhere in the world. When location isn’t a factor, business owners suddenly have a much wider pool of talents to consider, and this can help rapidly drive the success of a business.
• More career options – Similarly, not having to consider commuting distance allows professionals to suddenly explore more career opportunities than ever before. While traditional office roles might require a candidate to move to a new city or even a new country to be present in the office every day, flexible working gives them the freedom to stay where they are.

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