Login / Signup
With advances in technology, it is more common than ever before to either be able to either work from home or to be able to work a flexible schedule that is more conducive to each individual employee within a company.
This ability has led businesses both large and small to seriously reconsider the typical 9 to 5 workday in favor of a more flexible work day. So what are the steps that you can take as an employer for creating a flexible workplace?
Read: 5 Ways to Make your Workplace Flexible
1. Ability To Attract Better Talent
Flexible work schedules are just one of many bargaining chips that employers can use to attract the best talent in the world. Much how some companies tout a generous retirement plan contribution match, companies that are able to be flexible with employees are perhaps even more sought after.
With perks like this, employers get more applicants over time which will undoubtedly lead to the best talent in the sector quickly knocking at your door.
2. Working From Home Can Increase Productivity
Every employee is slightly different and operates most efficiently in a unique environment. While it may work for some, shared office spaces may be a bit too overwhelming for others who work better in complete silence.
Consider allowing these types of employees to work from home at least a few days per week. As long as their tasks are well defined for completion, there should be no lack of productivity and in fact, this more agreeable environment may even increase productivity.
3. Higher Employee Satisfaction
A boss known for being flexible in the workplace is one that garners respect and admiration from his or her employees. By being flexible and accommodating what schedule works best for each individual employee, the employees will be much more willing to work when they are in the office.
This can ultimately lead to much higher employee satisfaction which usually leads to employees going above and beyond the normal call of duty.
4. Creating Trust Between Employee And Employer
When an employee trusts their employer, they are far more likely to go above and beyond for them to get the job done. Providing a flexible working environment instills this trust in employees very early on. Employers who are seen as trustworthy not only gain the respect of their employees, but also the respect of other members of the industry.
5. Encourages Better Communication
A flexible workforce means that not everyone may be working the exact same hours or even at the exact same location. To combat this logistical issue, better communication is encouraged. This means that tasks are more clearly defined and progress can be clearly measured over time. The most efficient businesses are those which are able to communicate among a team most effectively.
Over time, emails will become more descriptive, explanations will become more clear, and there will be a paper trail to document everything as opposed to a fleeting comment as someone passed by an office space.
6. Being around a Team Inspires Better Ideas
It is no secret that coworking spaces can benefit your team. By having everyone located in one central space, ideas can quickly be shared between parties and work can be more efficiently completed. While some employees may work better from somewhere, others greatly benefit from working as a team. Often, members of the team bring out the best in one another by playing off of each other’s strengths.
7. Working On Your Own Schedule Improves Performance
The days of a typical 9 to 5 work schedule have shown researches that not everyone operates most effectively during these hours. For some, a much earlier day would increase productivity while for other, starting a few hours later will help them get the most work done in an eight-hour time frame.
By allowing employees to choose what schedule they wish to keep, you will undoubtedly get more out of them in the same period of time.
8. Reduces Employee Turnover
Flexible work practices and employee turnover are directly related. Someone who feels like they are working under a strict boss who will berate them for every minor misstep is much more likely to seek employment somewhere else than an employee who works with a more understanding employer that seeks to work with his or her employees and develop an environment of flexibility.
Every workplace is different and depending on the specific business, all of these suggestions may not be suitable. The key to maximizing workplace flexibility is to pick and choose the specifics of how you can be more flexible with the workforce. Clearly, the benefits far outweigh the drawbacks.
Will you consider this in your workplace?
