Happy workers, lower costs – what’s not to like?
Flexible employees of any age are happier and fresher than their office counterparts, as they aren’t worn out by commuting or a rigid work pattern. Instead they are free to complete work when and where it suits them. A recent survey confirms this, with 83 per cent reporting that flexible working led to improved productivity. Flexible working can also reduce costs as it decentralises the workplace, removing the need for large offices as not all employees will be present at the same time. It also means businesses can recruit talent wherever it is found, as it’s no longer necessary for skilled workers to be tied to a specific location.Overcoming the communication conundrum
Embracing a complete range of communication channels can be complicated, especially if the business needs to approach multiple vendors to get everything it needs. There are not only the costs of dealing with multiple vendors, but the time taken to train employees to use a host of different of applications will drain productivity. As a result, businesses should look for solutions that are easy to use and provide several communication channels in a single application. The easier technology is to use, the less time it should take to train the workforce and the more readily employees will adopt it. If HR departments choose to cater to those who demand flexibility, then they need to persuade the business to implement user-friendly technologies. Ideally, this should mean adopting software that closely resembles the applications people use at home. Similarly, the business should not only think about what software workers are used to, but also what hardware. For example, will employees be most familiar with a desk-phone, or a smartphone? If employees already use their mobile for social calls and messaging, is the simplest option to let them use it for work as well? After all, there is little value in providing a flexible working environment if few employees can take advantage of it.No time like the present
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