Flexibility is now a common buzzword in the modern workplace. Employees often tie flexibility to a greater work-life balance, reduced burnout, and improved well-being. An International Workplace Group survey showed that 80% of employees offered two similar job opportunities would choose the one that provides the most flexibility.
As more employers adopt the new workplace culture, they continue to struggle with how to maintain productivity levels within the remote work environment. Here are five ways managers can offer flexibility to their staff without losing out on coordination or falling back on their projects:
Adopt Hybrid Work Models For A Start
You can offer limited flexibility options for your employees as a test run to assess the impact on your productivity levels. You can create part-time schedules for a start. A 2021 Mercer Study showed that 70% of companies intended to adopt hybrid models, including well-known brands such as Twitter, Microsoft, Spotify, and Salesforce.
You can set the second week of the month as a flexible work schedule week, where staff can set their own time to complete their 40 hours. You can also optimize the plans to fit your employees’ control, budget, timeframe, and geographical location.
Allow Employees To Take Ownership Over Their Schedules And Responsibilities
You can also allow employees to set their goals and targets with a framework of how to complete the work. You can examine the workflow to identify periods where the staff needs to collaborate. Request staff to create schedules that overlap on specific days during pivotal phases such as brainstorming or approval sessions.
Allowing employees to set their own time can help them keep track of their time and projects and adjust accordingly. It may make it easier to estimate and forecast future projects and workloads.
Invest In Productivity Tracking Technology
Companies can leverage technology to find ways to keep track of their employees’ productivity. Time tracking software can help you and your employees’ plan and set deadlines for completing different projects.
Teleconferencing technology can also help track your productivity. You can set regular meetings with remote teams, record the sessions and receive transcripts of the meetings. Telecommunication can work for full-time employees at the physical offices and part-time staff working remotely.
Use Hot-Desking and Collaboration Booth Solutions
Another popular way employers can guarantee productivity for their remote workers is through hot-desking. Hot-desking allows employees to book desks within an office space during the day they are coming physically to an office space.
You can rent out a space of 100 to fit 150 staff working semi-remotely, coming in when they wish to minimize distractions and focus better. Smart booking can allow employees to reserve their favorite spots remotely.
Additionally, your company can invest in a collaboration booth. The intelligent booth solution allows employees to book an enclosed space where they can carry out meetings, video conferences, or brainstorm with the team. The booth has:
- Sound-insulated glass for privacy and noise reduction
- Built-in USB ports for easy connectivity with your devices while focusing on your job
- Smart access control that helps to book the space remotely and track the time spent inside the booth
Your company can take advantage of smaller floor space and host employees for pivot phases on the projects.
Keep Communication Lines Open
Effective communication remains one of the biggest challenges for companies transitioning to flexible work cultures. You may need to keep communication lines open by implementing an instant messaging system for your team.
You can invest in a VOIP system for your remote team members that can allow for cheaper calls and clearer voice receptions. Maintaining good communication can allow for better collaboration between the full-time and remotely-working employees.
Bottom Line: Improve Your Employees’ Flexibility and Productivity Balance
Introducing remote work schedules can be an exciting period for your company. Hybrid models, defined communication lines, and leveraging technology such as collaboration booths can help you keep up the productivity levels of your staff.
Contact us today to discuss teleconferencing, hot-desking, or collaboration booth solutions for your workplace.
