More and more workplaces offer flexible work arrangements to attract and keep sorely needed talent. No longer a nice-to-have, it has become essential to many future employees’ requirements. Flexible hours in the office can increase job satisfaction and reduce stress, and with high petrol prices, your employees will save money on travel.
But setting up for a flexible workforce isn’t as simple as handing over laptops and mobiles to staff to work from home. You need to consider secure access, technological impacts on productivity, and ways to keep your staff engaged. Because even though they want flexibility, it’s also important they feel part of the team.
What do you need to be flexible workplace ready?
Secure connections to keep your data safe
Just like working from a coffee shop and using public Wi-Fi exposes your personal laptop to malware and password theft (if you didn’t know, you do now!); you need to ensure that your staff are connecting to your workplace data via a secure connection and not via their home Wi-Fi. You want to make sure they have access to the files they need and the programs they use for work.
Systems to facilitate team work
When some or all of your staff are working remotely, you need systems to facilitate communication and collaboration. The spontaneous conversations that previously took place in the office can be encouraged in a different format using video tools and messaging techniques. But it’s also important to ensure that everyone is trained to use the software.
IT support
With staff in different locations, you may find some affected by an event, such as a blackout and others not. Have you considered how to manage this whilst still doing your work? Having a support team to back you up who can access your employees’ systems means they can provide immediate advice to staff impacted.
A safe and comfortable working environment
If you’re yet to implement a flexible workforce, you’ll need to consider how to manage the health and safety of employees in different locations, plus what expectations to put in place around their work hours and availability.
Want the best from your flexible workforce? Calvert can help
These are just a few considerations when converting your office into a flexible workplace. If you are moving to a more formalised flexible workforce arrangement, Calvert can help.
Our business-over-technology approach means we take the time to understand the specific needs of your organisation and recommend the software and hardware solutions to suit. We also advise on processes and procedures to utilise your technology – keeping your business running smoothly and your employees happy.
Are you flexible workplace ready?
Book a complimentary, no-obligation discovery consultation, and see how Calvert Technologies can assist your business.
