If 2020 has taught us anything, it’s that being prepared for the worst is crucial. Many businesses claimed they were not ‘the kind of business’ that could work from home. However, the pandemic left everybody with no choice but to test that theory. Many businesses are now steadily moving along while many employees work from home, and many people agree that flexible workspaces are the future. If that is the case, will you be prepared?
By Team Savant
Image: Windows
Offices are changing substantially. The number of employees working from home are rising, and many studies show that more than 50% of the world’s employees are now spending more than half of the work week performing their jobs at home, or in other remote sites than their company’s headquarters.
More and more employees value work-life balance too, so many of them want to work from home where possible. 93% of the world’s employees choose flexible working over non flexible, and 61% of them would be willing to leave their current job for a job that offers more flexibility. Perhaps a serviced office is required when you have meetings and genuinely need to be able to work together, but the rest of the time employees can take their laptops home and work there. Collaborative software makes this much easier and ensures everyone is on the same page.
Here are some pointers to ensure you’re prepared:
1. Allow Employees To Choose Their Own Hours
In some cases, it may be possible to allow employees to choose their own hours. If you have a set amount of hours you’d like them to work each week, let them decide when they are going to come in. This can ensure they have a solid work/life balance and that work isn't stopping them from doing the things they really want to do. As long as they are fulfilling their contract and doing what they are supposed to do, it shouldn’t bother you what hours they choose to work.
2. Invest in Software That Will Make Everyone’s Lives Easier
There are lots of software options that could make everyone’s lives easier. Collaborative software ensures that everyone can stay on the same page, which is a big worry for companies who think of becoming more flexible. The fact is, many meetings that businesses have these days are a waste of time and delay work. By having a simple platform you can look at to see where everybody is at on a project, you’ll save time and confusion.
3. Ensure There are Places To Take a Break
Having places to take a break in the workplace can increase employee satisfaction and even productivity, even if it seems counter-productive. Nap pods are an addition that many companies are making, alongside comfortable rooms with magazines and games.
4. Keep Employees Happy and Motivated
Making sure your employees are happy and motivated will often lead to improved productivity and output. You may worry that working from home will allow them to slack off, but when you provide more benefits you make them happier and they are more likely to work harder for you. They need to know that you trust them and that you value them. This is often missing from modern day workplaces. Ask for feedback from your employees and provide as many benefits as you can to keep them happy. Here are some quick ideas:
Provide freebies and bonuses for hard work
Give more than the minimum time off
Give incentives such as gym memberships
Provide team building and other workshops
Encourage them to spend time on their own projects and help if possible
Get to know them
Develop a community feel in the workplace
5. The Benefits of Flexible Workspaces
There are so many benefits of flexible workspaces. You’ll increase the talent pool when you’re looking to hire, as well as retain valued employees that may not be able to work full time. Many people prefer to work somewhere with flexible hours, so you’ll be seriously limiting yourself if you stick to the more traditional working day.
Not only that, flexible workspaces can help to reduce illness and absences and provide a better work life balance. Ensuring a blend of office working and flexible working can mitigate the feelings of loneliness that many get when working from home, too. It can take some time to implement successfully, but many businesses have proven that it is more than possible when you have no choice.
Are you prepared to make your business more flexible? Leave your own advice below.