Traditional working practices are no longer fit for purpose; if you want to stay relevant in a post-Covid world, you need a flexible culture. Here's how to become Flex Positive.
How has your organisation responded to the pandemic? It’s likely that you’ve had to adapt at speed to managing a dispersed team, with increases in home-working and changes to working hours.
So, have you reassessed your approach for the long term, and developed a robust strategy that supports service delivery?
With employees overwhelmingly wanting to retain the flexibility they’ve gained this year (and proven can work effectively), Timewise believes a ‘Flex Positive’ approach is needed.
The fact is, the world of work has fundamentally changed – and there is no going back. 13 million people intend to ask to hang on to some of their flexibility permanently. Some are even planning to move further away from cities on the basis that they won’t need to commute to the office as frequently. As a result, many executive boards are having serious conversations about their workplace infrastructure, and rethinking their real estate strategy.
Additionally, the pandemic has triggered a growing realisation that the inclusion and wellbeing of key groups needs to sit at the heart of workplace strategies. It has highlighted, for example, that people with caring responsibilities or health issues face extra challenges, and need different support to do their best work.
But although an increasing number of employers recognise this, there is a disconnect between their perception and that of their employees. A recent survey indicated that, while 74% of employers feel they are helping their employees learn the skills they need to work in a new way, only 32% of employees agree.
Clearly, then, there are challenges ahead for employers who want to adapt smoothly and sustainably to new ways of working. We believe these challenges call for a fresh approach to creating and embedding an achievable flexible culture that fits your business needs. And thanks to our years of specialism in this area, combined with the unique insights we’ve gained over the past six months about how our clients are tackling the situation, we’re ideally placed to support your thinking.
Over the past 15 years, we have worked with hundreds of employers, helping them develop two-way flexible working solutions that deliver on business challenges whilst supporting employees. Our client list ranges from SMEs and public sector organisations to FTSE 100 companies, who have seen for themselves that flexible working can support talent attraction and retention, diversity and inclusion, and productivity. They’ve also benefitted from helping their employees improve their work-life balance and wellbeing, and developed a branding edge by being known as flexible employers.
Post-Covid, these elements are more important than ever; and our Flex Positive programme brings them all together to ensure you’re up to speed. We’ll take you through a clear, step-by-step process, providing you with the tools and frameworks you need to develop and improve sustainable flexible working plans and practices. The programme will provide clarity, and give your team the confidence to prepare well for whatever the future may bring.
As we all learn to adapt to new ways of working, there will be winners and losers, and the organisations that take a proactive approach to flexible working will be best placed to succeed. We’re here to help you get it right.
To find out more, fill in the enquiry form below, or email Jo.Basu@timewise.co.uk.
