As a new mother, many mums dread the time their maternity leave is coming to an end. To go from seeing your little one daily to only in the morning and evenings can be a sad time for any mother.
Unless, you are the type of employer who allows for flexible or remote working.
Many businesses allow old school expectations to hold them back from benefitting from a flexible working arrangement.
Have you ever wondered why offices exist? Is that really the most productive and motivating place to work?
Or, is it simply the case that it was established as the only option a long time ago and people have just not wanted to rock the boat?
While that may have been okay in the past, in the days before the recent technological advancements we’ve seen and the internet, it is not the case anymore. Most of us can work when and where we want.
There is nothing to stop us creating a schedule that enables us to be productive, while being able to keep our commitments to our family.
Especially, if you’re a new mother and want to save costs on childcare or simply want more bonding time with your child.
There is a lot of strong evidence that suggests, if it is managed properly, smarter and more flexible working arrangements, offers great benefits that include better staff retention and morale, productivity and profits.
In fact, some recruiters like Capability Jane, only offer flexible working roles.
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You Need to Consider the Company Culture
There are many who are able to and who would like to work remotely or flexibly, but who don’t.
It normally comes down to the fact that the culture of the company is actively against or just doesn’t provide support for smarter and more modern working arrangements.
Even in the wake of technological advancements that offer security, stability and are widely available, many companies are still not open to the positive possibilities offered by smart working solutions.
To allow flexible and remote working to be possible, all companies should adopt the following thought process:
Working smarter is more valuable than working longer
Just because someone clocks in first and leaves the office last, it doesn’t mean they are working more efficiently. Productivity should be used as a measuring stick for performance rather than time.
You don’t need to make excuses to show the positives of working flexibly
You will find that when discussing smart working arrangements, people find it necessary to offer excuses for it, that don’t even involve work. Like, they are able to wait in for a tradesman or will be there to receive deliveries.
However, it should be reasons like “I want to work more productively and achieve more” that people choose to work smarter.
An office is just one workplace
It doesn’t matter what the office is like, as even the most cutting-edge, tech-filled office will only be suitable for some people all of the time. Often, alternatives are better for productivity.
Great work and results are possible anywhere and anytime
The time often has little to no effect on when we are able to perform best. The quality of the work is more important, while taking on board the other people in the process.
Trust and reliability isn’t just about being there
Mutual respect is important for building healthy and productive working relationships. People need to learn to trust you are working, even without you physically being there.
The Benefits to the Business
There are major benefits to flexible working for your business that go beyond your staff enjoying an improved work-life balance and other nice bonuses.
If you fail to utilize smarter working arrangements, you will have greater difficulty attracting and retaining the best in your field.
Flexible and remote working can actually help reduce the costs your business are spending out, and pass those savings onto your staff in terms of their travel and housing costs.
If you want to fall even further into the rabbit hole, your willingness to allow flexible working could even keep your employee’s relationship healthy. In a best case scenario, you might even save a relationship which may otherwise have been heading for a divorce due to not spending enough quality time together.
A stressed and unhappy member of your staff is usually not the most productive. It’s in your interest to keep your staff as happy as possible.
The only reason the majority of people continue working in offices is down to the fact it’s always been done.
However, we have reached a turning point, a crossroads, where people are ready to make the change and it’s important to, rather than disregard them or ignore them, discuss the possibilities of alternative working arrangements.