Here we are, nearing the end of the third quarter of a business year like no other, and the COVID-19-related headlines for the most part still aren’t great. If you haven’t already
figured it out, it’s time to accept that when it comes to working from home, it’s here to stay until a vaccine is widely available.
For a significant number of
companies, working remotely has been a core part of their company culture, even pre-COVID.
Today, other companies are recognizing not only the tremendous savings working
remotely offers, but that they’re seeing the same level of productivity from their staff regardless of where they work.
Perhaps more striking, there’s been a renewed
conversation about the 4-day work week in the U.K. and the U.S., something most would have never thought possible just six months ago.
So we all agree that remote work is going to
be with us for the foreseeable future. Now what? Here are the four factors that will influence the future of flexible working.
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Trust: Many senior management teams are
grappling with having to trust teams working from home. I mean, if you can’t see someone, how do you know they’re working?
Of course, any employer can tell you
that time in the office doesn’t equal productivity. Managers need to rethink what they value, and how they measure it. Forget about seeing them personally. Think about seeing the results of the
work they do. That takes good management, and the ability to trust your people. If you can’t trust them, you should question whether they’re the right people, or if you’re measuring
for the right things.
Corporate culture redux: We may be going in and out of lockdowns, either nationally or locally, so it’s crucial for companies to continue
to focus on their culture. These times call for a bit of creativity: Think about staggering working times, reducing the number of people needed in meetings, increasing use of virtual tools to connect,
collaborate, and create.
For instance, we encourage a “no meeting Friday” to give team members a breather to catch up or simply take some personal time. We also
mark our meetings as “optional” wherever possible.
Deepen your talent pool: One of the benefits of a virtual structure is the ability to expand the talent
pool. You’re not restricted to a single location, and there’s no bias toward those who live in bigger, more expensive cities. There’s a world of brilliant talent out there you
wouldn’t be able to tap into if showing up at the office was requisite.
While the pandemic won’t mean the end of the office, it will lead to a major shift in how
employees, managers and business leaders structure and manage their workforce. That will include greater flexibility, and the consequences could be hugely positive in ways measured beyond
financial.