Adapting to flexible working

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Prior to last March, flexible working – or working from home – was still developing as a concept to be widely embraced. Now it is the norm throughout many sectors, across the country. Where companies have been able to transition their business to home-based, employees have found themselves working from anything, from their home office to the kitchen table.

While this type of more flexible working arrangement has happened out of necessity rather than choice, there are advantage and challenges associated with it. It’s important to understand what they are:

Advantages

  • Recruitment and retention are boosted by offering flexible working. Even after the pandemic, many employees will expect some level of flexible working to continue. They have proved they can do it and still be productive.
  • Loyalty and commitment are demonstrated by staff when they can achieve a good work life balance.
  • Less stress. In a pressurised world, working flexibly can help reduce stress levels.
  • Fewer employee absences. Staff who work flexibly are less likely to take time off for ill health or medical appointments.
  • It positions your company as progressive and forward thinking.
  • Employees can save money by reducing commuting costs. They also spend less time sitting in traffic or waiting for public transport.
  • Efficiency – often employees report that scheduling work during quiet times means they achieve more. Other employees benefit from spreading their working out across longer hours.

Challenges

  • Overcoming the ‘always on’ culture. Staff may feel that they can never really switch off away from work. This can breed resentment as well as increase stress levels, which may ultimately  lead to burnout.
  • Making sure all employees are treated equally and fairly. Some roles lend themselves better than others to flexible working, especially working from home.
  • Making sure everyone feels like part of the team. This is so important, no matter what hours they work and where they spend them.
  • Keeping channels of communication open between all staff, wherever they are based, all the time.
  • More planning at management level may be required to make sure business needs – especially customer expectations – are met.

Embracing flexible working has involved plenty of give and take for employers and employees. However, by taking the learning of the last 12 months, keeping an open mind, exploring lots of options and doing some thoughtful planning, may well pay dividends for everyone long beyond the end of the pandemic.