Flexible working is a hot topic at the moment. I’m sure some degree of flexibility would benefit most of us.
Unilever are starting to broaden their flexible working options with the launch of U-Work to address the demand for flexibility from different elements of their workforce: the young, the over-50s, and parents/carers.”
In what ways do you think workplaces could be more flexible?
Replies
I think employers need to realise just how flexible and adaptable ther workforce has been already. Many employees had never worked from home before, let alone also dealt with homeschooling, lack of child care facilities, use of zoom, teams to communicate with each other and clients.
Yet as a workforce, they did it, and they got on with it. Many organisations reported much better years than they were expecting and many employees have found a better work-life balance, that they won't want to give up.
If employers are now going to force everyone back to 9-5 in the offices, then they may find themsleves looking for new staff.
Personally, I would prefer a hybrid system where i can be in theoffice 2 or 3 days and at home the rest of the week. That way, I can be accessible to staff and clients, not just on teams/zoom, but i can also go back to some of the face to face meetings, networking and coaching activities that I have missed.
Hi Nicky - Interesting one that's receiving a lot of discussion everywhere at the minute. I can only speak from my own experience but I do wish employers would get away from this mindset that if their employees aren't in the office, they must be skiving. I don't think it helps anyone. Again, only speaking from experience, if I need to stimulate my brain and get the creative juices flowing, the last place I want to be is sitting in a grey boxy space staring at a computer screen. Most of my ideas come at 6 in the morning walking the dog along the river bank! I think, unsurprisingly, compromise is probably the way forward. It's unreasonable for either party to assume they'll get things all entirely their own way anymore. The world's changed. Larger companies like the BBC have already surveyed staff and are working towards a more flexible system.
I totally agree John Mellis and that's one thing that COVID has revealed - that working from home works! Employers need to find a flexible model that will benefit both parties and it will also take some compromise too. However, I truly believe that employees will go the extra mile if they are given the opportunity to have more say in how and where they work.
I’m certainly seeing a more flexible approach to working with the companies here at Centrum. I think morning “huddles” could be a great way for business to be more flexible as it allows for those still working from home to still feel part of a team.
Good idea Siobhan Jaffray as it's really important to keep remote workers engaged and feeling valued, so being able to communicate regularly is key.
I think businesses just need to be mindful that their employees are real people. Many employees have proved that they can work from home and be productive, companies were quite happy at the time but now that things are easing, they claim their employees aren't productive at home and must return to the office (not personal experience, just hearsay!).
They should be flexible to allow parents to arrive after the school run but also all employees should feel able to drop their car at the garage on a work day, wfh if the plumber is coming by or something similar - everyone should have the same flexibility/benefits offered.
I totally agree Erin Flett and the more flexible companies can be in finding workable solutions, the more discretionary effort (going the extra mile) staff will give.
Interesting thread about this on LI - with some people saying it is selfish for those with greater experience to continue to work from home. The argument being the more experience you have - the less you benefit from the office environment and the more likely you are to have the space to work at home.
Whereas the less work experience you have the more you need the "water cooler" chats, the harder it is to ask for help and the less likely when you work from home you can find the place to do it in comfort and privacy.
I don't like the generalities inferred here - but I do think there is a point, What are your thoughts?
I think you might have something there Helen Mill and there is an argument that for a more collaborative workplace, the experienced colleagues should be mentoring and sharing their knowledge and skills with their less experienced team members.
Many of my friends who have been working from home during the pandemic have the opportunity to continue with half/half going forward! I think it's a good thing and will create a healthier work life balance. Although it will be interesting to see if work still gets done even with the world back open
-
1
-
2
of 2 Next