4 Methods to Make Flexible Working a Positive Movement in Your Workplace
There has been a lot of talk about flexible working over the past year or so. More and more employers are allowing their staff members to stay at home, choose their own hours, and work to a schedule that fits in with their home life. There are numerous questions surrounding flexible working, and whether it is beneficial for businesses and their long-term growth. Whether you’re considering a hybrid working policy in your workplace, or you’re trying to change the narrative surrounding working from home, here are a handful of methods for you to consider.
Hire Staff Who Want to Work Flexibly
If you want flexible working to be seen as a positive thing in your workplace, then you need to hire people that share the same opinions. Hiring staff from a reputable creative staffing agency that is looking for hybrid working environments or flexible work would be the ideal place to start. As creatives, they are inherently drawn to less rigid and stringent ways of working, so this is certainly something to consider.
Communicate Your Expectations
Once you have your ideal workforce in place, you need to talk about your expectations. Laying out the firm but fair ground rules of flexible working will help everyone to get onto the right page so that there is a level of trust established.
Lead By Example
If you are demanding something in particular from your flexible workers, you need to lead by example in every way. Doing something different to them simply because you’re the boss doesn’t give off a positive look, and you need them to be able to trust you. When it comes to leading by example, you shouldn’t have any guidelines or rules that you wouldn’t be happy to follow yourself. This will ultimately make it much easier for you and your employees to stick to the workplace rules surrounding flexible working.
Talk to Your Employees
Now would be the ideal time to talk to your employees and find out exactly what they are looking for regarding flexible working hours. Perhaps the general consensus is that they all want to be at home and work regular office hours. Whereas other employers may find that earlier starts or later finishes working better for their particular Lifestyle. Seeing each person in your workplace as an individual rather than a group that wants the same thing, will help hugely when it comes to creating a positive narrative around flexible working.
As you can see, there are so many different ways in which you can approach flexible working in your workplace. The most important consideration to make is communication amongst your team. Everyone needs to know where they stand with regard to working from home and other flexible working policies that are outlined in your establishment. Getting everyone onto the same page, listening to their opinions, and allowing a certain level of flexibility will ultimately help to boost morale and create a more positive environment in your place of work.
Originally Published on https://www.breakfastleadership.com/
