Priority 1
Extend your definition of flexibility
Flexitime and working from home are just the beginning.
Priority 1
Extend your definition of flexibility
Flexitime and working from home are just the beginning.
“There are plenty of untapped possibilities. True flexibility should create a sense of freedom, even while working.”
Hicham Al Bouhali - People Director HR Talent Acquisition & Projects
How to re-align for the perfect match
We asked Hicham Al Bouhali - People Director HR Talent Acquisition & Projects
The most widely available flexible working benefits have clearly been influenced by the impact of the pandemic. Remote working became mandatory for many white-collar workers at the time, and more employers began offering flexible hours, for example to support parents struggling with increased childcare responsibilities.
But these are only a few of the various types of flexible work arrangements that could help employees achieve a better work-life balance.
What about job sharing, annualised hours, flexible payment propositions or phased retirement? There are plenty of untapped possibilities. True flexibility should create a sense of freedom, even while working. Consider the value of employee benefits like “workation”- offering the ability to work from abroad - which makes it possible for employees to see the world or visit family despite limited annual leave. The gain in recruitment and retention rates is well worth the short-term effort of establishing the procedure.
3 tips for tailored flexibility
1. Research your options
- Look up industry benchmarks and best practices to identify innovative and effective flexible benefits that align with your company's culture and goals.
- Don’t forget to consider the legal and regulatory aspects of potential new benefits, so you can ensure compliance and provide employees with the right guidelines.
2. Involve employees in the process
- Offer a diverse range of benefits to accommodate the varied needs and preferences of your workforce, keeping inclusivity in mind.
- Request employee input during the implementation phase, so you can establish procedures that make it easy for employees to choose what’s right for them.
3. Establish a monitoring system
- Develop KPIs to measure the success and impact of flexible work policies on productivity, employee engagement and overall organisational performance.
- Encourage employees to share experiences and concerns, so you can make informed adjustments to your strategy as needed.
