Tips for Implementing Flexible Work Patterns

Everyone wants flexible work, right? Yet “flexible work” can trip people up. Why is that? Because it’s too vague:  - Employees saying they want "flexible" work can be heard as "I’ll exclusively decide where and when I’ll work" and the employer doesn't know when the person is available and feels unsettled. - Employers saying they offer flexible work can be heard as "we'll let you 'sneak out' a bit if you need to but don't make a big deal about it and by the way we’ll ask *you* to flex all the time.”   Instead of asking for “flexibility,” or saying that you offer it, here’s what you should do instead:  - Identify the requirements for specific jobs - one type of flexibility won’t work for every job in a whole organization  - Designate “core hours” for collaboration and synergy when teammates know they need to be available for one another or for clients  - Offer Training and Support: Provide training sessions and resources to help employees AND managers create adaptive work environments.  - Schedule regular check-in meetings between managers and team members to discuss progress, challenges, and goals. People’s lives will change and their needs will change. Your organization will change and your needs will change. - Lead with mutuality - you’re in this *with* your team. Clear communication and team-and-position specific approaches are key to making flexible work arrangements successful. Ready to Embrace Flexibility? Start Today: Take the first step towards creating a more flexible and productive work environment by implementing these strategies in your organization. #WorkReimagined #FlexibleWork

According to Inclusively’s internal data, flexibility is one of the top 10 most-requested success enablers an employee asks for. Here’s our step-by-step guide for companies to create a more flexible work environment — but with guardrails. 1️⃣ Companies should create a framework where an employer selects all their accommodations and work personalization requests up front. If they want a more flexible schedule, they can request it formally. 2️⃣ Put this framework front and center for all employees, giving them the opportunity to learn about and understand all these accommodations and requests. 3️⃣ Maintain and update this framework to make sure it’s current. It should show the investments employers have made to fulfill these accommodations and requests. 4️⃣ Employees have the opportunity to access or register for these accommodations and customizations and provide feedback on their satisfaction with the support invested by the employer. This creates a continuous feedback loop. 5️⃣ Make it anonymous, so employees don’t have to disclose personal details. They’re armed with the education and information up front to make decisions about the resources they need, self-serve, and choose what the employer has already invested in, setting themselves up for success. If more is needed for a particular accommodation, employees can go through the traditional accommodations process. 👉 Inclusively has built a framework for this with our Retain product: https://lnkd.in/gjzyk8ZW Retain includes a centralized resource where employers can see how other companies handle specific requests and get all the resources they need to fulfill them. This cuts down on their time investment significantly.

Employees want work flexibility, but businesses are way behind: 83% of workers prefer a hybrid model. Yet only 13% have a mature hybrid work policy. (Source: Accenture) Without a strategic approach, hybrid work can lead to: • Disconnection • Inconsistent productivity • Blurred lines between work and home life Here's a 5-step framework to bridge the gap: 1. Assess and Plan: ↳ Evaluate current policies ↳ Understand employee needs through surveys and feedback 2. Infrastructure and Tools: ↳ Invest in collaborative technologies ↳ Ensure reliable access for all team members 3. Policy Development: ↳ Establish clear, flexible guidelines ↳ Communicate expectations for both in-office and remote work 4. Training and Support: ↳ Provide resources for effective remote management ↳ Support teams with regular check-ins and adaptive leadership 5. Review and Adapt: ↳ Create channels for ongoing feedback ↳ Iterate policies to meet evolving needs Our vision for a hybrid workplace can set the stage for a revolution in work-life integration. Think of what we could achieve: If every strategy we implemented was as flexible and adaptive as the lives of the people we aim to empower. The future is ours to design. _________________________ The great news is that all this can be taught. That's what I help companies with every day. Message me to learn more! Please repost to help your network! ♻️