Dive Brief:

• Flexibility is defining how work gets done today and will continue to shape work in the future, according to new research from Paychex.
• Workers want more choices in how and where they work, and that demand isn't going anywhere, according to the report. As Millennials and members of Gen Z make up more and more of the workforce, they've driven changes to dress codes, scheduling and workspaces, among other things, the company's survey revealed. Those generations preferences for mobile tools also has driven new tech adoption, Paychex found.
• "The Future of Work offers tremendous opportunities for employers that emphasize flexibility, mobile technology, and training," Martin Mucci, the organization's president and CEO said in a statement.

Dive Insight:

It may come as no surprise to HR that the word defining the nature of work — now and into the future — is "flexibility." Today's workers increasingly expect flexibility, and employers seem to be embracing the shift. In fact, many employers have adopted a flex work policy during the past decade, according to a recent IWG survey, with most citing an expanded talent pool as the key motivator.

Workers say such offerings improve their work-life balance, and research shows that can be a boon for employers, too. Employees without work-life balance have lower job satisfaction and are more likely to cause turnover, according to a 2018 study from the University of Michigan and California State University Channel Islands.

These studies and the most recent research from Paychex both make clear that the demand for flexible work isn't going away; employers that find a way to provide such perks — whether via compressed workweeks, remote work or other options — may be well-positioned to compete for and retain talent, especially in today's employee-driven labor market.