Free and Flexible – The 5 Best Ways to Add Flexibility to Your Workplace
The phrase, “flexibility in the workplace,” is creating quite a stir among workers these days. Gone are the days of a traditional 9-5 day, and assigning jobs to a specific gender is a thing of the past. Workers today are demanding a more flexible environment, both in terms of scheduling considerations and in being open to new ways of doing things that account for everyone’s strengths and weaknesses.
There are a host of ways you can create a more flexible workplace for your employees. From allowing them to telecommute to offering part-time hours and flexible scheduling, you can create an environment that not only contributes to a good work-life balance but also makes for happier employees overall. Here are several ways to add flexibility to your workplace.
1. Broadsoft VOIP
Before any type of flexibility can be successful at work, you need the means to keep everyone connected. Cloud-based communications such as Broadsoft VOIP allow you, your staff, and your customers to communicate instantly through a series of features such as voice, messaging, video, conferencing, content sharing, and more. No matter where the work takes place – in the office, at home, or on the go – everyone stays connected in the cloud.
2. Part-time Employment
If you’ve found it difficult in the past to fill full-time positions, you may want to consider breaking them down into two part-time roles instead. This opens the door for talent who have a lot to offer but only on a part-time basis. College students, working mothers, and people trying to pursue their passion on the side will all find part-time positions much more appealing than full-time ones as they fit their busy schedules better.
3. Telecommuting
Allowing employees to telecommute gives them more control over when and where they work. From working out of a home office to conducting business in the local coffee shop, telecommuting employees tend to be much more productive than office workers because they are able to strike a better work-life balance. Telecommuting is as much of a win-win for employers as it is for employees, saving money for both parties in terms of office expenses and commuting costs.
4. Freelancers
Freelancers are people who perform specific skills on a temporary basis. Freelancers are not employees but are experts who provide services in a specific niche on an as-needed basis.
Hiring freelancers for individual projects saves you the expense of paying for a full-time employee. These people are often much more motivated and productive because they appreciate the flexibility their line of work affords them.
5. Flexible Work Schedule
A flexible work schedule isn’t just for part-time employees or those who work from home. You can work with your employees to come up with a schedule that facilitates their other duties outside of the office.
When employees are allowed to schedule their work around such things as children’s doctor appointments and other family issues, they are more productive when at work and tend to be much more satisfied in their employment.
Providing more flexibility in the workplace is a win-win for everyone. Your employees will be able to strike a better work-life balance, which results in happier, more productive staff. Meanwhile, as the employer, you create an environment that attracts top talent, increases productivity, and improves employee retention – all of which ultimately improves your bottom line. It may seem costly when first implementing these changes, but the results have a positive effect on everyone and are well worth it.
