Key Messages
Discover The Benefits Of Flexible Work: An Introduction To Unconventional Scheduling
Flexible working is the way of the future, and it’s time to explore the possibilities that come with outside-the-box thinking.
This book provides an overview of the dynamic world of flexible work and dives into the various setups available to organizations looking to introduce more flexibility in their business.
With practical tips and advice, this book is a field guide to help you make the most out of your flexible working practice.
In these sections, you’ll uncover why having preset hours may be doing a disservice to your employees; why a Swiss insurance giant decided to revamp their approach by introducing flexible working practices; and the importance of being present even when not physically at work.
With larger roles for remote working on the rise, flexy-working has become an invaluable tool for employers who want to take a modern approach to surviving in today’s competitive market.
Flexible Work Is The Future Of Work And It Benefits Both Employers And Employees
Flexible working practices are quickly gaining popularity among businesses and their employees.
This trend offers an array of advantages for both sides, as employees are able to balance their professional and personal lives without compromising on productivity.
For employers, adopting flexible work can help them appeal to top talent as numerous studies have shown that up to 87% of workers prefer it over the nine-to-five model.
It can also lead to increased productivity, engagement, and creativity from staff.
On the employee side of things, flexibility in the workplace has been linked to decreased stress levels since it gives people control over their own schedule.
Research shows that only 16% of those surveyed would stay with a rigid nine-to-five if given the choice.
In conclusion, flexible working practices offer benefits for both businesses and their employees, making it a popular option today.
Flexible Work Is The Future Of Work: Why Equality, Inclusivity, And Accessibility Are Just Some Of Its Benefits
Flexible work is quickly becoming the norm in the modern workforce.
Whether you’re a young person just starting out, an older person not yet looking to retire, or someone with a disability or medical condition needing alternatives to traditional employment, flexible work is offering new possibilities.
It’s no wonder—flexible work makes use of modern technology and globalization to create collaboration opportunities between businesses and their employees even when they’re well-separated geographically.
This means that companies can now find markets on every continent thanks to improved access brought about by the internet.
And more than that, it has opened up new doors for individuals who may have been previously excluded from certain jobs due to age, lifestyle choices, or after childbirth.
On top of that, flexible work brings greater inclusivity and accessibility into the workplace—with teleworking and modified hours allowing people with medical conditions or mobility issues to be active players in their chosen profession despite any physical obstacles that may have been present before.
Welcoming Flexible Working Hours: Unlocking The Benefits Of A Happy And Energized Workforce
When it comes to the workplace, employers want to create conditions where employees feel rested, respected and fulfilled so that they can bring their best selves to work.
And one way to foster this kind of environment is through flexible working arrangements.
It’s been found that flexibly working can seriously boost worker well-being and has several benefits for both companies and their employees.
To begin with, allowing employees work from home or come in earlier/later hours means that they no longer need to endure a daily commute that may become increasingly long over time – something which nearly half of surveyed workers view as the worst part of the day.
This gives them the space and freedom to focus on the job at hand without having to worry about traffic or catching a train.
Flexible work also lets people find their own balance between career and family life.
By tweaking certain elements around their schedule, they can avoid burnout while still giving 100% when it comes to work performance.
This in turn will create an atmosphere of trust, collaboration and respect within the workplace that are essential for business growth.
How To Make Flexible Work Succeed With The Right Communication And Technology
Becci Martin, founder of Boo Coaching and Consulting, was determined to create a workplace where people looked forward to coming into work each day.
Even with the ingrained expectations of presenteeism, she was able to create a successful flexible working arrangement with careful communication and technology.
Research shows that there are many positive benefits to flexible work, but some organizations remain hesitant or even hostile towards the idea.
Part of this hesitation may be practical concerns, but mostly it stems from cultural beliefs about the importance of being physically visible in the office.
As such, employers must ensure that their employees understand the value of shifting away from those traditional dynamics.
HR managers can step up by emphasizing that agile work is a great way for staff to save time and increase their productivity; they should also introduce training programs on teaching management techniques for flexible working and look into cloud-based scheduling software which makes it easier for remote workers to stay connected and accomplish their daily tasks.
Additionally, video chats can also help workers feel connected despite not being in the same physical space as other team members or supervisors.
How To Make Flexible Working Possible In Any Organization
It’s very possible for any workplace, no matter their size or how long they’ve been established, to switch to a flexible work setup.
All you have to do is follow the proven model that Zurich Insurance Group has implemented.
They started by making flexibility the default option for all of their employees – not just select staff.
This allows everyone access to different types of schedules and workspaces, encouraging better collaboration and productivity.
Additionally, Zurich explored all types of flexibility that can be employed in different scenarios and situations.
They learned which forms are best suited for knowledge work and those that are better applied to roles with physical jobs.
The organization also invested heavily in building a culture based on trust, withspecialized training programs offered to managers on tracking progress without direct supervision.
Rules were set regarding schedule changes and contracts as well as investing in the necessary hardware and software technology.
In short, any workplace can be made flexible by following these simple steps set out by Zurich Insurance Group’s example!
Careful Planning Is Necessary For A Successful Transition To Flexible Work
When it comes to transitioning to a flexible working arrangement, it pays to be prepared.
Don’t just snap your fingers and dive in headfirst; if you don’t have a plan you might create chaos and conflict.
That’s why it’s important to take the time to carefully plan out your transition.
Start by carrying out a company-wide assessment to get an idea of people’s attitudes, goals, and resources that can help make the change.
After that, make sure to set SMART goals which are specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and time-bound.
This gives you something to aim for as you move towards flexibility.
It’s also advisable not to overreach when starting off – try testing out smaller pilot schemes first with one department or role so you’re better able to track what works and what doesn’t.
Keep communication lines open throughout this process too; give regular updates on how the transition is going and let staff provide feedback so they know what they can expect along the way.
This is how you can avoid headaches when adopting flexible working – by taking time into planning everything through properly!
Flexible Work Relies On Clear Policies And Guidelines For Success
It’s essential that any flexible work environment have clear and well-defined policies.
Without them, it can be hard for both employees and management to understand the expectations of each other and ensure the team runs at optimal levels.
The policies a company should put down in writing include those governing employee schedules, performance reviews, promotions and transfers.
They should also cover rules for communication such as designated times of the day for check-ins or limitations like supervisors not calling staff after certain hours.
It might also be useful to include guidance on events like childbirth or sickness in order to provide clarity on these areas as well.
HR departments are responsible for creating and updating company policies but they should get input from everyone they apply to before finalising it.
Making sure HR use language everyone understands is important too so those reading the policy know what is expected of them.
Prepare For Flexible Work With Careful Communication For Maximum Benefit
The key to rolling out your flexible working program is to plan ahead.
This means communicating clear instructions to workers about how the changes will impact their job and roles, as well as setting out expectations of what they can expect in terms of flexible hours or remote work.
By planning everything in advance, it’s much easier for the transition to run smoothly and for everyone involved to be prepared for what lies ahead.
This means making sure that all employees have access to written handbooks with information about policies and expectations.
It could also be wise to hold pre-launch meetings where people can ask questions, as well as set up open forums where workers can share advice and tips with each other.
Talk through any negative feedback you get too, so you can feel confident addressing criticism in a convincing way.
Once you’ve launched the new way of working, don’t forget to keep listening for feedback from those involved – both good and bad – so that you can make any necessary improvements or adjustments further down the line.
Don’t forget about emphasizing success stories either – it won’t go unnoticed if people see that things have improved since introducing a more flexible approach!
Wrap Up
The final summary of Flexible Working is this: flexible working can be beneficial for your company in various ways.
It can lead to increased job satisfaction, better productivity, and an engaged workforce.
To make it successful you need the support of all stakeholders and if you can get the key skeptics on board, the rest will surely follow.
The key is to find the approach that best suits your goals and come up with a realistic plan that everyone agrees on.
