How to Foster Flexibility In the Workplace Environment
The pandemic has changed the workplace environments for good. As compared to before, the workplace is now more flexible and needs to display this flexibility in the post-pandemic era as well for the convenience of both the employees and the employers. By flexibility, we mean telecommuting, work-life balance, and skills that the management applies for handling employees and their needs. It includes analyzing the work style and preference of employees and developing an effective feedback mechanism. It might seem like a lot of work but this is helpful in boosting productivity and ultimately benefiting the company.
If you’re looking to boost employee turnover and attract the top talent to your company, make sure you review these tips to foster flexibility in your workplace:
1. Flexible Schedules
Flexible schedules are aimed at providing work-life balance to the employees instead of one-off accommodations for special circumstances. There are three different types of flexible schedules:
- Telecommuting: Some tasks don’t require an employee to work from the office and telecommuting is an effective way of letting the employees work from a remote environment as long as they get the job done. Telecommuting is also helpful in circumstances where it’s not possible for an employee to work from the office due to personal reasons.
- Flexible office timings: A flexible time policy lets the employees stagger their office hours. Some employers also let the employees leave whenever they are done with their tasks of the day instead of a traditional 9-5 office day.
- Condensed Schedules: Some tasks don’t require a five-day workweek. If the employee has reached their weekly work goal early, they may be allowed to take an additional day or two off.
2. Work Preferences
Every employee has a different working style and preference. Instead of assigning tasks to employees without considering their preferences or what they can work the best with, employees should be allowed to decide which tasks and projects they think they can work the best on and let them handle it. Another way management can ensure more effective work and productivity is by carefully reviewing the work preference of employees and assigning them tasks accordingly instead of going into the project assignments blindfolded. This will boost employee motivation and increase workplace productivity.
3. Foster Creativity
Employees now prefer to be able to share their ideas and opinions regarding projects and work more productively when their voices aren’t suppressed. Over the past few years, employees of major tech giants have complained of having a rigid work environment where the opinions of employees aren’t considered, and as a result, their employee turnover has considerably reduced. Management can solve this issue by holding regular meetings with employees and listening to opinions regarding projects and considering them. This will motivate the employees to work harder and ensure employee loyalty.
4. Regular Feedback
Feedback works two ways: for the employees and from the employees. Managers should provide regular feedback to employees whether it’s praise or constructive criticism. This will help the employees figure out their strengths and weaknesses and work on improving themselves accordingly. Similarly, listen to your employees and their feedback regarding the work environment. An employer that listens to the problems and opinions of the employees is respected and preferred by the employees and it helps increase employee turnover.
Flexible work environments are productive and attractive to top talent because they cultivate a healthy company culture and avoid toxicity in the workplace. Make sure you keep in mind to foster flexibility in your company post-pandemic because remote work has changed the dynamics of the workplace for good and for the better!