A company can exist without being flexible, but it won’t thrive and reach its fullest potential. Why? Because the most talented employees are attracted to companies that offer package deals – beyond salary – things like flexibility that improve work/life balance and decrease stress.
While there may be fundamental differences among the generations in today’s workplace, there is one thing Baby Boomers, Generation X, Y and Millennials can agree on – flexibility. It’s liberating, empowering and an effective way to retain employees.
Data from a Regus survey revealed that 79 per cent of employees would choose one job offer over another if it offered flexible working. If your business is ready to make a move towards increasing work flexibility options for employees, here are some simple steps to take.
Have a conversation
Before a plan or program can be implemented, ask your staff to define what flexible means to them. Chances are, you will receive a host of different responses based on each person’s individual needs. For some workers, having flexible hours could ease the stress of family commitments. Other employees may want to telecommute a few days a week to avoid a long commute. Be prepared to accommodate a range of requests.
Consider alternative work locations
Lengthy commutes sap productivity and increase stress for workers. Allowing your employees to work from home or to drop in to a nearby shared space provider gives employees more autonomy over their day and will improve their work-life balance. It reduces commuting expenses and promotes a greener corporate culture.
Measure performance by output
Relinquishing line-of-sight control can be easy if benchmarks and clear goals are agreed upon. These days, more businesses are adapting a Results Only Work Environment where employees are judged based on output rather than face time. If managers aren’t consumed with micro-managing every minute of a worker’s day, they can focus on assessing the quality of the finished product.
Change your communication style
Now that some employees are working remotely or on a compressed work week schedule, keeping staff connected will require a change in how your employees communicate internally. Schedule regular meetings with staff and use the best advanced technology options available. Web-based project management programs and videoconferencing are a few of the ways to stay up-to-date on all projects and office happenings.
Being flexible is good for business – both financially and from an employee management perspective. It builds loyalty, trust and motivates employees to do their best work, while employees appreciate the opportunity to successfully achieve work/life balance.
