Today’s workforce is demanding greater levels of flexibility and customization in the way their jobs play out. In an effort to stay relevant, many companies have expanded their work environments to include remote opportunities, telecommuting programs, and flex-time policies. These policies seek to offer employees a refreshing change from the standard 9-to-5 job experience by enabling them to feel fulfilled outside of a traditional office setting. Here, Albert Houllou, President and Chief Executive Officer of F&E Trading LLC, shares some tips for helping your employees thrive in the workplace:
Provide employees with the tools they need to thrive
Some of the core functions that make up a day’s work can be accomplished remotely. This often includes the ability to operate a computer system from home, access key business systems from anywhere, and create content for various online resources. Additionally, there are growing numbers of remote workers who prefer the flexibility and assistance of technology over the structured, support-based work environment at their home office.
Help employees build their own work routines
When employees are able to build their own work schedules, they are often more efficient. This can include creating a work-from-home schedule, taking a flexible approach to work-from-home scheduling, and scheduling meetings with clients from home. Additionally, flexible work policies allow employees to curate their work schedule to best fit their individual needs and preferences, eliminating the need for an overgeneralised standard, explains Albert Houllou, seasoned executive and veteran figure in the electronics industry.
Trust your employees
Trust is a critical factor in long-term employee success. This may sound obvious, but trust has been lost in too many industries over the years. If employees feel valued, they are more likely to be productive, focus on their core functions, and be happier in their roles. Trust also effects the way in which employees interact with each other. When trust is present, employees are likely to collaborate, give honest feedback, and support each other.
Encourage creativity and risk-taking in your workplace
Creativity and innovation are always in demand in the work environment. Companies that rely heavily on a standard work environment are missing out on the creative, innovative, and risk-taking skills of their employees. As a strong and inclusive leader, it’s your job to encourage the best in your employees and help them find their creative voice. By providing access to various creative outlets, such as digital art and photography, a flexible work environment helps employees develop their creative muscles. This can provide an interesting outlet for creative energy, and it can even help employees decompress from the day’s challenges, adds Albert Houllou.
Conclusion
Whether you call it the corporate handoff, remote work, or some other term, the future of work is changing and employees are adapting to it. With so much change and uncertainty in the workforce, it can be difficult for employees to stay focused and committed to their jobs. It’s important for managers and HR leaders to understand how to support employees in this transition, so they can help them thrive in the new way of working.
