Whether called telecommuting, teleworking or mobile work, flexible work arrangements are highly valued by today’s workforce because they allow employees more control over their busy lives. They are equally beneficial for companies because they create engaged employees and individuals who are more productive and loyal. Flexible work arrangements are here to stay.
The debate over flexible work arrangements vs. traditional work schedules, as well as the debate over open-office design vs. cube farms, have been hot topics for articles and blogs. Passions are high on both sides of the discussion. Unfortunately, the debaters often miss the point. It is not one vs. the other. Rather, it should be a customized approach, where every company creates the flexible work arrangements and office design that best fits its culture and business strategies. Companies win when they create a work environment that is tailored to provide exactly the right technology and workspace that employees need to support where, when and how they work. Let’s call this powerful combination “flexible work place.”
Flexible work place is a primary driver behind increased employee productivity, morale and a company’s ability to attract and retain critical workers. It provides companies with much more than the saved real estate costs of open office environments! I believe that every company planning to move or expand its office space should consider implementing flexible work place. Every human resources department looking to improve employee engagement, employee diversity and employer branding should advocate for flexible work place.
You can learn more about the benefits of flexible work place for both companies and employees by reading my white paper, “Form Follows Function: Flexible work arrangements and tailored office design improve productivity, morale and your ability to attract and retain critical workers!” It provides strong evidence in support of allowing employees, depending on their job responsibilities, to work from home or be mobile workers. It also discusses the pitfalls of open office plans and cube farms in terms of lost productivity and privacy.
Finally, the white paper presents a case study on a very successful implementation of flexible work place at one Medtronic location. As a result of this implementation, this Medtronic location improved its employee productivity, morale, and its ability to attract and retain critical workers. It also maintained the cultural alignment of employees while cutting real estate costs and carbon emissions. Moreover, it provided a return on its investment within two months of its implementation!
Download “Form Follows Function” by going to my website, www.victorhrconsultant.com and to the Papers/Presentation column on my Home Page. Then request a free copy of “Form Follows Function”.
Victor Assad is a strategic human resources consultant and coach who works with key decision makers and human resources leaders on talent management, accelerating change, leadership development, and other strategic initiatives such as mergers and acquisitions, strategy implementation, and flexible workplace. Please e-mail Victor at victorassad6@gmail.com or visit Victor’s website at www.victorhrconsultant.com.
1 comment