5 Work Flexibility Ideas That Your Team Will Appreciate
You already know that most people want to be able to work from home these days. Work flexibility is more than a remote or hybrid work setup though – and it has become a critical factor in job satisfaction.
“Work flexibility is not just a ‘nice to have’ but an absolute necessity in order to attract, retain and engage top talent in our ever-evolving global economy. I believe that it is important for us to recognize how much technology has impacted our ability to work from anywhere. and the ways in which it has opened up opportunities for people to pursue their passions,” according to Sarah Watson, psychologist, certified coach, and COO at BPTLAB.
As she puts it, “encouraging and embracing a flexible work arrangement should be top of mind for all leaders in 2023.” If you’re looking for work flexibility ideas that your team will appreciate, look no further than the expert-approved suggestions below.
1. Embrace experimentation
A lot of managers and organizations don’t realize that when it comes to work flexibility, the possibilities are endless. Lindsay Karny, HR expert and founder of Resume 2023, says that she wishes more leaders knew that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to creating a flexible work environment: “There are many ways to make a flexible arrangement work, and the best way to figure out what works for your team is to be open to experimentation and try out different ideas.”
Start a conversation. Ask team members for input. Your team will appreciate sharing insights about their needs and the perks they value. While not every idea is going to take off, embracing experimentation will eventually lead to a flexible work arrangement that works for your team.
2. Provide WFH allowances
According to Watson, work-from-home allowances to cover costs such as electricity, internet and workspace setup are usually appreciated. When you invest in making sure people have what they need to work remotely safely, comfortably and effectively, you send a powerful message: flexibility matters.
3. Offer well-being days
Watson also recommends offering well-being days: “Well-being days are an excellent way to ensure that employees have the chance to take care of their mental, physical and emotional health.” No questions asked or justification needed.
“Taking a day off occasionally can help reduce stress levels, foster creativity and lead to more productive working days when they return. Allowing employees the freedom to use well-being days is a great way to demonstrate that you value their well-being and are willing to invest in them,” she adds.
4. Ditch the 9-to-5 hours
Maybe you have a hybrid team. But is everyone still expected to work a 9-to-5? If so, you may want to ditch that model. “In 2023, a 9-5 schedule is not conducive to all and certainly does not fit the mold for everyone,” says Theresa Santoro, HR Director at Actualize Consulting. According to her, allowing for flexible schedules and letting team members know that it’s acceptable to work based on their own preferences is a move that will be largely appreciated.
It’s a decision that goes hand-in-hand with prioritizing wellness, she adds. You’re encouraging employees to put themselves first. You’re letting them know that you value them for their professional talent but also see them as human beings with different needs and personal priorities.
5. Don’t overload calendars with meetings
Here’s an idea that your team will most likely appreciate (or straight-up celebrate): Don’t book an abundance of Zoom meetings throughout the week. “One way we’ve found success is by setting up team meetings via video conferencing once a week so that everyone can see each other and talk together—but then for the rest of the week, we do things like Slack messages or Google Hangouts where everyone can type instead of talking over each other,” says Karny.
There are plenty of communication channels to allow for work to happen. By decreasing the meeting load, you’re offering people the flexibility to collaborate how they prefer. “Some people work while they’re commuting; some people take a long lunch break; some people use Skype or Zoom calls; some people use Slack instead of emailing back and forth constantly; and some people use channels with only certain groups of people on their team,” adds Karny. A workplace can’t be fully flexible if you’re chained to Zoom calls all day, after all.
