The Future of Flexibility at Work
It’s no secret that the old way of working is on its way out. Employees are demanding more flexibility in their work environment, and companies are starting to cater to them. In this article, Jonathan Osler suggests how increasing workplace flexibility will shape the future of business.
What is Work Flexibility
Flexible hours, telecommuting, remote working, and other forms of work-life balance have been around for years. However, as technology has advanced, so too expects what it means to be flexible at work. Today, many employees expect to choose when they start and end their day, which days they work, and where they do their work from. This new type of flexibility is known as “workplace flexibility.”
How increasing workplace flexibility will shape the future of business:
Hierarchies are being flattened
In the past, hierarchies were the norm. A boss would have a team of underlings reporting to them. But today, employees want to choose who they say to. They also want to be able to decide when and where they work. This is why so many businesses are implementing flexible work policies.
Increased collaboration
Flexible workplaces allow for increased collaboration between teams. For example, people can now share workspaces instead of each employee having their own office. And because there’s less need for offices, there’s room for more collaborative spaces like kitchen areas and lounge rooms.
Autonomy and choice
According to Osler, autonomy and choice are two key benefits of flexible workplaces. Autonomy means that an employee has control over what they do. Choice refers to the freedom to pick their tasks, hours, and location. These types of workplaces give employees more power than ever before.
More time to focus on core competencies
Another benefit of flexible workplaces is that employees focus on their core competencies. Because they don’t have to worry about whether or not they’ll have enough work to do every day, they’re free to devote themselves entirely to their jobs.
Sustainable growth
Flexible workplaces help businesses grow sustainably. When workers are given more autonomy and choice, they tend to make better decisions and develop new ideas. This helps businesses stay competitive and continue growing without running into too much trouble.
Older workers
Flexible workplaces also help older workers remain productive. As technology advances, it becomes easier for employees to work from home. So even though older workers may be slower at adapting to change, they still have plenty of opportunities available.
Rapid globalization
Another benefit of flexible workplaces is that they help businesses stay competitive in a rapidly globalizing world. With flexible workplaces, they can ensure that their company keeps up with the trends.
Adaptability
According to Jonathan Osler, one key reason flexible workplaces are becoming more common is that they allow their company to adapt quickly. For instance, when they work in an open-office environment, they can change things around in a matter of hours to suit their needs.
An increasingly digital world
As our society has become more connected and digitized, employees expect more from their companies. They want the flexibility to choose when and how they work, in addition to where they do it from. This is why they need a flexible workplace to keep up with growing expectations.
So, what does the future hold for flexible workplaces? With automation taking over more and more traditional jobs, employees will likely start to demand even more independence. This means that they’ll have to continue evolving their workplace to meet growing demands.