In today's world, particularly in the UK, flexibility continues to be a buzzword in the workplace. Employers increasingly are exploring more flexible ways of working to attract and retain the best talent. In a CIPD 2020 publication, two-thirds of employers were reported to have expressed home workers having been more productive as when in the work place. The ONS (2022), highlighted that the most reported flexible working pattern for the UK workforce was working from home (WFH). Also, LiquidSapce reports that 85% of millennials want to work remotely full-time. However, achieving a radical flexible working culture can be a daunting task.
In this blog post, we will explore how using people data can help businesses achieve a radical flexible working culture and reap its benefits.
Understanding your employees' needs through people data:
To achieve a radical flexible working culture, it is important to understand what your employees want and need. Using people data such as employee engagement surveys and performance metrics can help you identify areas where employees need more flexibility. For instance, if a team consistently misses deadlines, you can analyse their work patterns to identify if they need more flexible working hours.
Building trust in a flexible work environment:
Trust is a critical factor in any workplace, but it becomes even more important in a flexible work environment. Employers need to establish trust with their employees to ensure that they are working productively, even when working remotely. Using people data such as time-tracking tools and performance metrics can help employers build trust with their employees by providing visibility into their work.
Managing and measuring productivity in a flexible work environment:
One of the biggest concerns of employers when it comes to flexible work arrangements is how to manage and measure productivity. However, using people data can help employers overcome this challenge. By implementing tools such as project management software, time-tracking tools, and performance metrics, employers can effectively manage and measure productivity in a flexible work environment.
Creating a flexible work policy that works for everyone:
Creating a flexible work policy that works for everyone can be a challenge. However, using people data can help employers create a policy that meets the needs of both the business and its employees. By analysing data such as employee preferences and work patterns, employers can create a policy that is both flexible and effective.
Leveraging technology for a more flexible work environment:
Technology plays a critical role in enabling flexible work arrangements. Using people data can help employers identify the right technology solutions to support a flexible work environment. For instance, if employees prefer to work remotely, employers can invest in video conferencing software to facilitate remote meetings.
Summary:
Achieving a radical flexible working culture requires a deep understanding of your employees' needs, building trust, managing productivity, creating flexible policies, and leveraging technology. By using people data, employers can effectively navigate these challenges and create a flexible work environment that works for everyone