Photo by nelu_bResearch tells us that perceived flexibility in the workplace increases job satisfaction, job performance, and ultimately job retention. These, in turn, impact a person’s individual satisfaction and performance at home, together suggesting that having a flexible work life improves one’s overall sense of balance and well-being. Some companies and employers have been forced in recent years to allow more flexibility on the job. Factors such as commutes, improved technology, and demands of a younger workforce have influenced decisions by many leaders to take note of their employees’ desires and offer more flexibility. Those managers/employers who are informed about work-life balance also know what is described above: more flexibility = happier and more committed employees = satisfied customers and better business outcomes.
Perhaps you are one of those people who work for a company that is flexible and allows you to make some changes to a traditional work schedule in order to meet your needs. A recent survey by the Society for Human Resource Management revealed that many companies are offering flexible work arrangements such as part-time/reduced hours schedules, telecommuting, compressed work weeks (i.e., working four 10-hour days per week instead of five 8-hour days), break arrangements, and job-sharing, to name a few. While these changes in the workplace require some preparation by management, what studies show, is that the initial extra work pays off significantly for the company. Employees are more satisfied, more productive, and more likely to stay with the company. It ends up being a win-win for everyone.
What if you are one of those employees, though, who does not have a balance-savvy employer? What if flexible work arrangements are not offered at your workplace? How can you achieve some flexibility for yourself and maintain life satisfaction? Here are some suggestions on how to approach this topic with your employer and achieve more flexibility for yourself:
1. Educate yourself on the full range of possibilities for flexible work arrangements. Do a little research to see what other companies offer, especially those that are in your same field. The Society for Human Resource Management’s website is a great place to start.
Perhaps you are one of those people who work for a company that is flexible and allows you to make some changes to a traditional work schedule in order to meet your needs. A recent survey by the Society for Human Resource Management revealed that many companies are offering flexible work arrangements such as part-time/reduced hours schedules, telecommuting, compressed work weeks (i.e., working four 10-hour days per week instead of five 8-hour days), break arrangements, and job-sharing, to name a few. While these changes in the workplace require some preparation by management, what studies show, is that the initial extra work pays off significantly for the company. Employees are more satisfied, more productive, and more likely to stay with the company. It ends up being a win-win for everyone.
What if you are one of those employees, though, who does not have a balance-savvy employer? What if flexible work arrangements are not offered at your workplace? How can you achieve some flexibility for yourself and maintain life satisfaction? Here are some suggestions on how to approach this topic with your employer and achieve more flexibility for yourself:
1. Educate yourself on the full range of possibilities for flexible work arrangements. Do a little research to see what other companies offer, especially those that are in your same field. The Society for Human Resource Management’s website is a great place to start.
2. Find out what is already offered at your place of work. Many employees don’t realize that their company offers flexible options because either they are not advertised, their supervisor may not be supporting them, or other employees do not take advantage of them. When I first started my job, I asked about making a slight change in my daily schedule in order to meet child-care needs. Several of my co-workers who had worked for the organization longer than me did not know they had an option of changing their hours. Since then, several of them have also utilized that flexibility.
3. Think about what kind of flexibility would meet your personal needs, and compare that to what would meet the needs of your business. What could you realistically change about your schedule that would allow you to meet the demands of your job, while also allowing more freedom to accomplish other tasks that are important (e.g., doctor’s appointments, kids’ school performances)?
4. Talk with your supervisor/boss/employer. It could be helpful to prepare an informal (or formal, depending on your boss) presentation/proposal about all of the benefits of flexible work arrangements to an organization. How will what you are suggesting help the company? Remember, even the most personable and likeable boss is going to care more about the impact of changes on the business’ success than about how they improve your personal life. When talking with him/her, keep that in mind, and focus your presentation on the benefits he/she will be interested in.
5. Maintain your work ethic and performance. A request or suggestion for more flexibility is not going to be very well-received from someone who is perceived to be a slacker or who is not performing up to standards. If you are a diligent and effective worker, your voice will be heard more clearly and your ideas will be taken more seriously.
6. Be patient. Changes in the workplace do not typically happen overnight. You may have to remain persistent, although not annoying, and continue bringing the subject up. Keep yourself informed about new research or ideas in the work world, and continue presenting those to the powers-that-be at your job.
7. Once you do get a more flexible schedule, keep frequent communication with your superiors, so they are well aware of everything you are working on. It wouldn’t hurt to have a weekly log of what you have accomplished.
Unfortunately, many people think that they cannot make changes in their workplace that will allow them more flexibility. But the truth is, someone has to ask about it and start the ball rolling. Most companies that utilize flexible work arrangements do so because of demand from employees. So educate yourself, come up with a plan for success, and assert your ideas. You may be surprised at how well they are received, and at how positively they impact you and your organization. When it comes to balance, flexibility is of the utmost importance.
Unfortunately, many people think that they cannot make changes in their workplace that will allow them more flexibility. But the truth is, someone has to ask about it and start the ball rolling. Most companies that utilize flexible work arrangements do so because of demand from employees. So educate yourself, come up with a plan for success, and assert your ideas. You may be surprised at how well they are received, and at how positively they impact you and your organization. When it comes to balance, flexibility is of the utmost importance.
Tell us, have you made changes at work to achieve more flexibility? If so, what has been successful? What have the challenges been?
Posts
I used to work for a company that had not updated their HR manual since 1952, inmates have more flexibility than I used to have in my job. I saw first hand how the lack of flexibility created an archaic work environment, and as a result, most employees were not dedicated or motivated in their jobs since the lack of flexibility impacted their personal life, which in turn impacted performance at work.
ReplyDeleteSInce then, I've been fortunate enough to be able to start my own company, and I see directly how trusting your employees by giving them unlimited flexibility makes an impact on commitment, performance, achievement and overall wellbeing. We have gone so far as to eradicate our vacation policy, and now, just like at Netflix, we have a "take as much as you need" vacation policy vs. giving everyone the standard 2 weeks when they join, then 3 weeks after 5 years BS that most corporations use. What effect has that had? We are growing rapidly in a downturn, and our employee output is 3X more that most companies our size. Trust your employees and they'll do wonders for you...