Work Flexibility Tied to High-Performing Employees

Gartner’s 2020 ReimagineHR Employee Survey reveals how the employee-employer relationship has changed in recent times. This survey, plus comments made at the Gartner ReimagineHR conference, shed light on trending talent issues and the challenges critical to all HR executives as they reimagine the future of work.

“Employers are focused on providing employees more flexibility than ever before, creating a shared purpose and building deeper connections with employees,” said Brian Kropp, chief of research in the Gartner HR practice. “The organizations that get this right will have a more engaged workforce, greater employee retention and better ability to attract the best talent.”

Highlights from the report:

  • In a typical organization with a 40-hour workweek in the office, only 36% of employees were high performers. When organizations shift from this environment to one of radical flexibility where employees have choice over where, when and how much they work, 55% of employees were high performers.

  • While 40% of respondents were considered highly engaged employees, this number increased to 60% when the organization took action on the social issues of today.

  • When employers develop deeper relationships with their employees, there is a 23% increase in the number of employees reporting better mental health and a 17% increase in the number of employees reporting better physical health.

  • Employers who support their employees more holistically realize a 21% increase in high performers.

“Offering employees more choices over when, where and how many hours they work, is not only better for employees, but also better for employers who end up with more high-performing employees as a result,” said Kropp.

Source: Gartner