How to Make Flexible Working “Work” for Your Business

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Are you considering offering a flexible work environment for your employees? If so, you likely know there are some potential challenges ahead. However, there are some tips you can use to help ensure this flexible work environment is successful.

What is Flexible Working?

Flexible working, which is also referred to as flex-time, home working, remote working, part time working, etc., is something that’s been around for several years. It offers an array of advantages for both employers and employees.

For example, you can effectively improve productivity and employee motivation, retain more valued employees, address skills gaps, increase your talent pool, and increase engagement. While this is true, you must overcome the potential challenges. Some of the challenges and how you can handle them are found here.

Communication Issues

It takes more effort and planning to keep people working remotely or part time in touch with all that is going on. Also, the use of face-to-face meetings is often more difficult to arrange.

While this is true, there are some communication solutions that embrace modern technology and keep everyone connected. For example, you can use video calls, chat features, and more. The key is to make sure that your staff and managers have the tools in place to make this possible.

Resourcing Considerations

Do you know who is working when, and from what location? For some businesses, the concept of a flexible workplace is overwhelming due to the inability to keep track of what everyone is doing.

At this point, it’s time to shift your mindset. Rather than focusing on input from employees (i.e. days and hours working), focus on outputs – what is actually getting done. Flexible scheduling makes it possible for employees to get more done, even if they aren’t working a traditional nine to five schedule. You can also use innovative software to keep track of what’s going on. You can find out what is ATS software and how it can help here.

The Issue of Social Isolation

When an employee requests an opportunity to work remotely, they think about all the positives offered by this arrangement. However, what they may fail to do is to listen to the warnings regarding the issue of social isolation. Unfortunately, this is a problem that creeps up on many employees and that is often a huge headache for managers who are trying to keep remote workers on task.

It’s estimated that up to 21 percent of remote workers have stated that their main challenge with this setup is loneliness. One solution is to not provide workers with full-time remote working. Instead, insist on a blend of in-office and out-of-office working time. If you have an employee who is unable to spend time with their colleagues because of the distance they live from the office, a disability, or another issue, it’s time for employers to communicate clearly to make sure that the arrangement in place is productive and sustainable for all parties involved.

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A Kick Back for Full Time, On-Site Workers

A lot of people have been a position where they see their part-time colleagues leaving to pick up their children from school, or run an errand, and not return. It’s difficult to see someone go out into the world, free from work, while others are left behind. However, the majority of people who work part-time don’t leave with the goal of going home to relax – they leave because they have something else going on, like another job.

The issue here relates to mental blocks of some full-time employees. A good way to overcome this mental issue is by employers being a bit more considerate with their full time workers, being aware of the possibility of burnout, anxiety, and stress when they are forced to cram their personal life into just a few hours in the evening and weekends. By acknowledging this and not ignoring it, the pressure many full-timers experiences will be minimized.

Getting the Flexible Work Environment Right

When it comes to a flexible work setup, there are more than a few factors to consider. If you want to ensure your arrangement is successful, be sure to keep the information here in time. By doing so, you will have the best chance of having a happy workforce made up of employees who work full time and those who have a more flexible work schedule.