The regular 9-5 job is a relic of past, the majority of companies today offer some type of flex work or telecommuting arrangement so employees can have increased freedom as well as a better work-life balance.
According to a recent study from the Society for Human Resource Management, telecommuting is an available work option in 39 percent of organizations. Forrester Research (News - Alert) projects that by 2016, 63 million (43 percent) of the United States workforce will work from home. One major factor in the shift to a more liberal policy is Millennials, as in the same Forrester study 92 percent of Millennials supported the freedom of choice in when and where they work.
Every enterprise implements these policies differently. For instance, Nationswell is a media startup company in New York City focused on telling peoples stories to improve the ‘fabric of America.’ Its team members come into the office on Monday, and for the rest of the week can work from wherever they please. They have the freedom to wander the streets of New York until they find just the right spot.
Another company, ReWork, a human resources company has done its own research. And, after watching how others implemented policies it felt that best practice was four weeks of paid vacation each year, unlimited sick days and four weeks of remote work eligibility.
A few things to bear in mind when ‘liberating’ employees:
- It is important to be aware of what employees are looking for as far as options. Based on industry, needs/wants could change and a suggested way to address this would be face-to-face surveys with team members to get a true gauge of who they are and where they are coming from.
- A company must understand how its communication solutions work and what their functionalities are. Things like Web conferencing and other conference call services serve as a lifeline for remote employees ensuring high level of collaboration and productivity.
- It is vital to let employees and job hunters alike know what the policies are on work freedoms like telecommuting or flex work. A strong benefits package can be a draw for those looking for work, and telecommuting and other ‘liberating’ options are becoming more and more the norm.
By doing the research, having the right tools in place and giving team members what they want it can rejuvenate the work environment. Technology today like conference call services allow for these options to be put in place without the company losing a step.
Edited by Alisen Downey