Companies’ Most Recent Method Of Pandering? Introducing “Flex-Washing”

Flexible work arrangements are officially the norm! We did it, Joe! 

While this seems like a call for celebration, corporations have come to water-down the great benefits that come with this model in what some are calling “flex-washing.” 

Similar to the concept of greenwashing, in which companies claim to be making significant environmental changes that are actually the bare minimum, flex-washing has become the most recent attempt at attracting employees and consumers without doing much.   

According to Jabra’s 2022 Hybrid Ways of Working Report, 63% of respondents prefer a hybrid work model. However, there is no one true definition of hybrid work. 

Instead, companies are loosely using the phrase “flexible work” as a catch-all solution in the future of work. Unfortunately most of the time, these organizations fall short of offering true flexibility. 

For some, providing four-day work weeks could be self-described as a flexible work option. Others may require employees to be in the office three specific days a week, while the other two can be spent working from home.   

Regardless, setting strict guidelines on when and where employees can work negates the real benefits of flexible working. Using a strings-attached approach neglects autonomy at work, which is a pillar to successful distributed workforces.