Thanks to technology, in particular, social media, fundraising does not have to be a physical function or a big event (though this is still an impactful way of doing it). Several online platforms have been created to assist in fundraising, allowing people to contribute from anywhere in the world. Fundraising is not the only aspect of the charitable sector that has been affected by technology, the working environment has also been disrupted and more organizations are adopting flexible working environments.
One of the dominant themes by the Institute of Fundraising during its annual convention in 2018 was the need to adopt a flexible work environment to attract and retain talent in their organizations. Another study also showed that less than 10% of employees in the UK have the traditional nine to five working environments. In another report done by TPP recruitment showed that flexible working is one of the most important valued benefits by job seekers. The report also stated that some job applicants were willing to take lower pay so long as they have flexible working hours.
The Changing Workforce Needs and Flexible Working Environments
Charities have long held the belief that flexible working hours are a nice to have benefit, but from the look of things, it is becoming a must-have work benefit. This inflexibility has led to charities having a harder time keeping and attracting new talent. This has led to many job vacancies but an inadequate supply of suitable candidates. As a result, entry salar
ies have increased in a bid to attract the right talent.
On the reverse side, non-profits that have paid attention to what their employees want have made it easier for them to have flexible working environments. This includes working remotely or working from home. A company such as the American Heart Association makes applications open to anyone to work from anywhere as long as they have the experience and can be productive.
Benefits of Flexible Working Environments to Charities
Flexible working environments are not only significant to the employees but it also a big plus for the non-profit. When employees are not always in the office, the cost of overheads tends to reduce by a significant percentage depending on the policy scale. This also opens the company to a broader hiring pool, meaning one can acquire the best minds globally and not only within a specified country or state.
Charities that adopt flexible and remote working environments will not only lower their costs but also increase the productivity of their employees. This is because flexible working environments enable them to expand their teams and also make it possible for their members to pursue other interests. This leads to more fulfilled and productive employees.
A Changing Workforce for a New Generation
Also given the fact that Gen Z is estimated to make up more than 40% of the workforce by 2020, then charities need to rethink their working environments. This is because they are a generation that seeks flexibility as opposed to seeking out a work-life balance.
