It’s back to school season, and for parents who began working from home, it’s a respite from kids making unannounced appearances during important Zoom meetings. For a lot of companies, it’s “begin bringing your employees back to the office season” although many employees, especially working parents, are choosing unemployment over going returning to the office. Why? The astronomical cost of childcare is often more than one spouse’s salary.
During the early to mid 1900s, it was possible for one spouse to fully support a family. In 2021, even with both spouses working many families still struggle to survive. This is especially the case when one spouse works full time and the other takes care of the children and then works part time at night or on weekends.
However, it’s the 21st century and it’s time employers and companies offer more flexible schedules to accommodate a better work-life balance for men and women. Although many CEOs may be reluctant to continue allowing employees to work from home, studies show that there are many benefits for the company who offers flexible scheduling: reduced operations costs, increased employee satisfaction, increased employee retention, less time missed, increased productivity, and an overall increase in the company's bottom line.
Here are 3 ways that you can offer flexibility to your employees while maintaining your company’s growth and success:
1. Allow Employees to Work From Home Full Time
Managers may fear that they cannot manage an employee that they are not within a five foot proximity of. The truth is that a lazy employee will be a lazy employee wherever they are. Your best employees will continue to produce quality work, and may even offer more innovative solutions being given the freedom to do so. Without the daily commute, you will also see an increase in employee energy and motivation.
2. A Hybrid Schedule
With a hybrid schedule, employees have a certain amount of days that they work from home and work in the office. This is great for employees who can do a majority of their work remotely, but still require resources only found at a job site. Employees who have a long commute but thrive in collaborative situations would appreciate this type of arrangement. With this option, both the company and the employee have the best of both worlds.
3. Flexible Hours
Many jobs do not require an employee to work during a specific set of hours in order for productivity objectives to be met. Allowing employees to work early, late, or even split shifts allows the employee to balance and fulfill their work and personal obligations. This type of arrangement is also highly beneficial when working with partners and clients in various time zones. Your company can meet the needs of your client during times that are convenient for both parties.
The bottom line is that flexible schedules benefit the company as much as its employees. Even though some CEOs may be hesitant to adopt these policies permanently, the past year shows that working from home will not cause a business to fail, but instead can help it to flourish. Flexible scheduling is an option made possible by 21st century technology allowing employees a better work-life balance while increasing company profits.