What is *Flexible Working* by Gemma Dale about?

*Flexible Working* is a practical guide for HR professionals on implementing workplace flexibility to boost employee engagement, talent retention, and sustainability. It provides actionable strategies for designing policies, training managers, and overcoming barriers, with case studies like Zurich Insurance. The book highlights benefits like reduced workplace stress and a smaller carbon footprint while debunking myths about non-traditional schedules.

Who should read *Flexible Working*?

HR leaders, managers, and business executives seeking to modernize workplace practices will benefit most. It’s also valuable for diversity officers aiming to attract multigenerational talent (e.g., 37% of millennials reject inflexible roles) and sustainability teams focused on reducing office energy use.

Is *Flexible Working* worth reading?

Yes. Shortlisted for the 2021 Business Book Awards, it combines evidence-based frameworks (like MinHash data analysis) with real-world examples. Its focus on post-pandemic trends like hybrid work and Gen Z’s demand for autonomy makes it a timely resource for future-proofing organizations.

What are the key benefits of flexible working according to the book?

Flexible policies improve retention, cut costs, and diversify hiring pools. For employees, they reduce burnout and support caregivers. Environmentally, remote work lowers corporate carbon footprints. Case studies show companies like Zurich Insurance achieved higher productivity through customized schedules.

How does *Flexible Working* address generational differences?

The book notes 78% of employees over 50 prioritize flexible hours, while Gen Z often rejects roles without hybrid options. It advises tailoring policies: older workers value phased retirement, while younger staff seek location autonomy. This approach prevents “organizational nostalgia” conflicts with traditional 9-5 models.

What myths about flexible work does Gemma Dale debunk?

Dale challenges the stereotype that flexibility is only for mothers, citing data showing demand across genders and ages. She also disputes claims that remote workers underperform, pointing to studies on output consistency and tools for tracking virtual collaboration.

Does the book provide steps to implement flexible policies?

Yes. A 4-stage framework includes: * Auditing current practices using MinHash data deduplication. * Training managers on bias-free flexibility assessments. * Piloting programs with measurable KPIs (e.g., retention rates). * Scaling successful models company-wide, as demonstrated by Zurich Insurance.

How does *Flexible Working* handle sustainability?

It links reduced office occupancy to lower energy consumption and commuting emissions. Strategies include “green flexibility” incentives for employees using public transport and aligning remote work policies with corporate ESG goals.

Flexible Working Summary, PDF, EPUB, Audio

Flexible Working

Gemma Dale

3.29 (34 Reviews)

Business Productivity Leadership

Overview

Key Takeaways

Author

FAQs

Revolutionize your workplace with "Flexible Working" - the award-winning guide that's reshaping how we work. Endorsed by Professor Sir Cary Cooper, this timely resource offers practical strategies for implementing flexibility that boosts performance while supporting diverse talent pools and reducing carbon footprints.

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Quick Summary9min

Feel the book through the author's voice

Deep Dive42min

Turn knowledge into engaging, example-rich insights

Flash Card10 insights

Capture key ideas in a flash for fast learning

Fun24min

Enjoy the book in a fun and engaging way

Best quote from Flexible Working

What if the future of work isn't about where we go, but what we accomplish?

Explore Your Way of Learning

Flexible Working isn't just a book — it's a masterclass in Business. To help you absorb its lessons in the way that works best for you, we offer five unique learning modes. Whether you're a deep thinker, a fast learner, or a story lover, there's a mode designed to fit your style.

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Top 10 Insights from Flexible Working in a Nutshell

Distill Flexible Working into rapid-fire memory cues that highlight key principles of candor, teamwork, and creative resilience.

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@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

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254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

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"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

201

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco

BeFreed Brings Together A Global Community Of 1,000,000+ Curious Minds

See more on how BeFreed is discussed across the web

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

201

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

201

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

201

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

1.5K Ratings4.7

Start your learning journey, now

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Flexible Working

Gemma Dale

3.29 (34 Reviews)

Business Productivity Leadership

Overview

Key Takeaways

Author

FAQs

Explore Your Way of Learning

Quick Summary9min

Feel the book through the author's voice

Deep Dive42min

Turn knowledge into engaging, example-rich insights

Flash Card10 insights

Capture key ideas in a flash for fast learning

Fun24min

Enjoy the book in a fun and engaging way

Best quote from Flexible Working

What if the future of work isn't about where we go, but what we accomplish?

More Like This

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Key Takeaways

The Future is Flexible: Reimagining Work Beyond 9-to-5

00:00

The traditional 9-to-5 office model that has dominated working life since the Industrial Revolution is facing a profound reckoning. This industrial-era approach appears increasingly outdated in our digital age, where 87% of employees desire flexibility but only 15% of job listings offer it. We're witnessing a fundamental disconnect between what workers want and what organizations provide. What if we could reimagine work in a way that benefits everyone involved? What if the future of work isn't about where we go, but what we accomplish? Flexibility isn't just a perk - it's becoming essential to how modern organizations operate, compete for talent, and fulfill their missions in a rapidly changing world. Workplace flexibility encompasses far more than remote work. It represents a fundamental shift in control from employers to employees regarding when, where, and how work happens. This three-dimensional approach includes time flexibility (when work is done), location flexibility (where it's performed), and method flexibility (how tasks are accomplished). While part-time work remains the most common flexible arrangement, numerous other options exist: job-sharing, compressed hours, nine-day fortnights, annualized hours, term-time working, flexi-time, staggered hours, self-rostering, career breaks, and phased retirement. Some organizations also offer flexibility through benefits like purchasing additional leave or taking unplanned "duvet days."

The Business Case: Why Flexibility Pays Dividends

The Future of Work: Flexibility as Strategic Necessity

Opening Doors: Flexibility as an Inclusion Tool

The Wellbeing Equation: When Flexibility Helps and Hurts

From Theory to Practice: Making Flexibility Work

The Flexibility Revolution: A Call to Action

Explore Your Way of Learning

Quick Summary

Flexible Working Summary in 9 Minutes

Break down key ideas from Flexible Working into bite-sized takeaways to understand how innovative teams create, collaborate, and grow.

00:00

Flash Card

Top 10 Insights from Flexible Working in a Nutshell

Distill Flexible Working into rapid-fire memory cues that highlight key principles of candor, teamwork, and creative resilience.

Fun

Flexible Working Lessons Told Through 24-Min Stories

Experience Flexible Working through vivid storytelling that turns innovation lessons into moments you'll remember and apply.

00:00

Personalize

Experience Flexible Working in your own way.

Ask anything, pick the voice, and co-create insights that truly resonate with you.

From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco

BeFreed Brings Together A Global Community Of 1,000,000+ Curious Minds

See more on how BeFreed is discussed across the web

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

201

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco

BeFreed Brings Together A Global Community Of 1,000,000+ Curious Minds

See more on how BeFreed is discussed across the web

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

201

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

201

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

201

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

1.5K Ratings4.7

Start your learning journey, now

Download This Summary

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Flexible Working by Gemma Dale Summary

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Flexible Working by Gemma Dale Summary

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Similar books to Flexible Working

Best quote from Flexible Working

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Key Takeaways

The Future is Flexible: Reimagining Work Beyond 9-to-5

The Business Case: Why Flexibility Pays Dividends

The Future of Work: Flexibility as Strategic Necessity

Opening Doors: Flexibility as an Inclusion Tool

The Wellbeing Equation: When Flexibility Helps and Hurts

From Theory to Practice: Making Flexibility Work

The Flexibility Revolution: A Call to Action

Quick Summary Mode - Read or listen to Flexible Working Summary in 9 Minutes

Flash Card Mode - Top 10 Insights from Flexible Working in a Nutshell

Fun Mode - Flexible Working Lessons Told Through 24-Min Stories

Personalize Mode - Read or listen to Flexible Working Summary in 0 Minutes

Download Flexible Working PDF

Download Flexible Working EPUB

More Like This

Key Takeaways

The Future is Flexible: Reimagining Work Beyond 9-to-5

The Business Case: Why Flexibility Pays Dividends

The Future of Work: Flexibility as Strategic Necessity

Opening Doors: Flexibility as an Inclusion Tool

The Wellbeing Equation: When Flexibility Helps and Hurts

From Theory to Practice: Making Flexibility Work

The Flexibility Revolution: A Call to Action