The new normal working conditions forced by the COVID-19 pandemic have made flexibility essential among many organizations. As employees struggle to find a balance between their personal and professional lives, this flexibility is the only thing allowing them to continue their work and sustain themselves and their families financially. They can get their tasks done in a way that is most comfortable to them, avoid burnout, improve their mental health, and have a better work-life balance amidst these stressful times.
If you’re looking to establish a flexible work culture in your organization, here are some tips to get started:
Analyze the different types of flexible work arrangements and choose the one that will be consistent with the needs of your workforce. Some common arrangements include remote work, flexible time off, compressed workweeks, and flexible working hours.
Foster mutual trust between managers and their team members. Don’t be quick to judge an employee without allowing them to showcase their performance, and ensure that communication lines remain open at all levels of management.
Encourage managers to set realistic expectations and involve their employees in the goal-setting process before beginning a new project. This will help your employees to avoid procrastination and be more accountable.
Train your team leaders as they may struggle to shift their management style to accommodate this flexible work culture. For starters, you could advise them on the best practices for checking in with employees, organizing virtual meetings, and following up on work progress reports.
Analyze how flexible working conditions have impacted your organization by receiving feedback from employees at all levels. This will help you identify any gaps in the process and introduce better tools for your organization and employees.
Flexible working conditions can prove to be super beneficial to your employees, especially at a time when they are battling a lot of external stressors. It fosters a healthy work-life balance, which is crucial to keeping your employees engaged, productive, and satisfied!
Read more about how organizations can adopt a flexible work culture in our HR Knowledge Hive.
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