Let’s Talk Workplace Flexibility

That is my mission of the day.  To talk about it, record interviews with those who live it, and to be on iwearyourshirt.com’s live show – perhaps the most flexible job I know…albeit with a pesky dress code.

And inevitably I will be asked “What is your definition of workplace flexibility?”

I’m at ERE Expo, a recruiting convention and I understand.  Executives and HR like nice, easy, clean solutions.   One definition, one answer, something that you can pull out of a box and start to implement.

But humans aren’t that simple.  We all have different needs, wants and likes and while our desire for flexibility may be more common, the kind of flexibility we are looking for may differ greatly.  So, I’m sorry, there is no one-size-fits-all solution for either companies or employees.  There are many options though…and they’re really not that difficult to implement.

ROWE – Results oriented work environment.  No rules, no cubes, work together, get the job done, be judged for your work

Job Share – 1 job, more than 1 person to do it.  Requires coordination and communication and can work really well.  Often customers rave about having more than 1 employee pay attention to them, and employees like it, too!

Telecommute – This is the one many think of when workplace flexibility is offered.  It  can mean working from a remote location full-time, part-time or as needed.  Many small non-profits do this very well…what’s stopping your organization?

% work for % pay – For example 4 days a week = 80% work for 80% pay/benefits or what has been traditionally known as part-time work.   It’s just often more career-oriented today.

Plain old flexibility  – allowing employees to take time as needed as long as they get work done.  Nothing formal or set in stone on this one, just everyone be reasonable and understanding

Workplace flexibility isn’t rocket science or brain surgery.  It’s just life.  And it shouldn’t be this hard.  It should come naturally if you want to attract and retain quality talent and increase the bottom line.  To the workplaces in the above articles who have taken the leap it already is a no-brainer.  You will hear more employer/employee stories here in the coming weeks in the form of video interviews, guest blog posts, and articles.  You will see how and why they flex and hopefully you can glean some knowledge and information from their stories to help you individually, to help your company, your friends and your family juggle/struggle with this work-life equation to define workplace flexibility.

And if you are at ERE Expo…stop by booth #205 for a chat.  I’d love to learn more from you about your realities in the world of work.  Hey, I could be wrong maybe it isn’t a no brainer…I just don’t think so…