Why flexible working is the new normal

Anna Stubbs • January 8, 2026

"Gone are the days when flexible work was a perk. Whether it’s hybrid roles, remote options, or custom hours, flexibility has become a baseline expectation." - Recruitment Trends for SMEs by Onside.

The pandemic may have introduced us to the idea of working from home, but the ability to flex where we work from is now a core expectation for many employees.

Why should your business embrace flexible working?

According to a recent survey by Robert Walters, 54% of employees prefer a combination of in-office and remote work.

We’ve learned about the efficiency benefits of working from home, making the most of the reduced travel time and the ability to work non-conventional office hours to get the job done.

But we’ve also come to realise the advantages of spending time with our team in the office, and how this can build team spirit, aid collaboration and get us working as a unit again.

The ideal scenario is hybrid working, where time is split between mandated office days and the flexibility to work from home when that makes employees’ lives easier.

How to embrace flexible, hybrid working

Flexible working will be different from company to company and sector to sector. But there are some key ways you can embrace hybrid working in your business:

  • Have a clear hybrid policy: Define which roles are eligible for hybrid work and set core collaboration days so you can work on team connections at the office.
  • Invest in cloud tech and online ways of working: Make sure your remote employees have the necessary tools and technology to work from home.
  • Put your focus on output, not presence: Employee performance should be based on what each employee delivers and achieves, rather than hours spent in the office.
By Anna Stubbs January 29, 2026
Having adequate access to adequate funding is fundamental for any startup. In the early stages of getting your enterprise off the ground, you need working capital to reach the all-important minimum viable product (MVP) stage, rent premises and hire staff. But where does this initial funding come from? Let’s look at the UK Government's Start Up Loan scheme and the funding options it offers.
By Anna Stubbs January 29, 2026
Question: “Can cost-saving measures in the business truly be a key driver of profits?” Running a profitable business is one of your key goals as an owner. Without profits, there’s no capital to reinvest in the business, no funds to grow the company and no money for your own dividend payment at the end of the financial year. So, is cost-saving the answer in these challenging economic times? Answer: “Careful management of costs is a fundamental way to improve your profit margins and profitability as an enterprise” Cost-saving measures will have a direct and measurable impact on your profits. This is usually achieved via two main mechanisms. Firstly, reducing your variable costs (like raw materials or direct labour) increases your gross profit margin. This retains more revenue from each sale you make as a business. Secondly, lowering fixed overheads (such as rent or software licenses) directly reduces the total expenses on your profit and loss statement, leading to a higher net profit. This immediate bottom-line improvement makes you a more financially healthy prospect to investors and lenders – which, in turn, can often make it easier to access funding and grow the business. Want to know more about cost-saving measures?  Talk to the team about your profit goals and we’ll advise you on the key ways you can reduce your overheads and expenses to drive improved profits.
By Anna Stubbs January 29, 2026
We all hope that our pathway along the business journey will be smooth and uncomplicated. But the reality is that accidents can happen, along with unplanned injuries, damaging weather events and legal suits from disgruntled clients. So, what can you do to protect your business from these potential negative consequences? The answer is to take out the relevant business insurance for your company.