Many candidates nowadays want to know that the companies they are considering working for offer a flexible working environment that they can use to their advantage while fulfilling their job to the highest degree.
Setting up a flexible working environment can be difficult, but it can create a fantastic and productive company when done correctly. Here are some of the things to consider if you want to create a flexible working environment within your business.
Establish Boundaries
One of the most important steps is to establish boundaries and other limitations to the flexibility. Employees need to be clear on what they can and can’t do so that targets can still be met for the business and operations will still be completed on time.
For example, you might decide to implement a work from home scheme that would allow your employees to work from the comfort of their own homes several times a week. However, you need to place some limitations on this.
You might decide that employees are not allowed to work from home more than three times a week, and if there is going to be an important meeting then they must attend it in-person wherever possible.
Boundaries such as this are important, but they should still be free enough that your employees are able to make arrangements that best suit them inside them.
Make the Tools They Need Accessible
You need to make sure that the tools and software that your employees have are as accessible as possible so that they are able to work on their projects and tasks no matter where they might be.
For example, you might wish to supply your employees with laptops over desktop computers in the office, as this would allow them to easily work from home with all of their documents being easily accessible.
However, this flexibility can extend beyond the items that they need to do their job correctly. What about employee benefits? There are all manner of online tools out there and you can deliver employee benefits through the Zest Benefits platform.
Your employees will be able to choose treats and rewards that can make their days at work more productive and easier to manage.
Something like discounted travel or gym passes might seem inconsequential at first. However, they can offer massive boosts to your employees’ productivity – meaning that they could be ready to approach their tasks with fresh motivation and a willingness to give their all to whatever it might be.
Check in with Employees
If you are going to commit to a flexible working environment, it is important that lines of communication are kept up between you and your employees.
You need to make sure that you are regularly checking in with them to determine how they are doing and whether or not they are managing to meet deadlines that have been set for them.
Setting up a flexible working environment can have quite a few false starts that you need to make sure you are managing correctly so that everyone is happy within their roles.
It might take some close work between you to ensure that you are going to be able to create a partnership that benefits both you, your employees, and your business as a whole.
A flexible working environment is not something that is easy to create, and it might take you several attempts to set up something that works.
Take the advice of your employees on board, and make sure you set up a scheme that benefits them just as much as it helps you. In a little while, you will hopefully have a flexible working environment that everyone respects and works hard for.
