Worldwide there is a trend towards flexibility at work.
In addition to helping with employee retention, flexibility improves performance and productivity.
The 7 most common measures to offer flexibility at work are:
1. Schedule. Among the most widespread practices is having a defined time slot for entry and exit. This initiative can allow to finish the working day around 17:00 hours, which is convenient for those employees with children.
2. Remote work. Some companies already have their data system on the cloud: this way your employees can work from home without any major problem. In some cases, employees are required to attend the office at least one day a week.
3. Part time. It is the most popular labor conciliation measure in Europe, although it has different connotations as it is often used as the only hiring alternative.
4. Lights off. Consists, literally, in turning off the lights of the office at a programmed time (usually between 6:00 pm and 7:00 pm), so that those who want to continue working must request a permit for it.
5. Flexible working space. The organization of the office also matters. If the workers do not have a predefined place in which to sit they can choose where to do it every day, depending on the meetings they have scheduled. This saves time and generates more synergies.
6. Controlled meetings. Regulate the maximum duration of the meetings and prohibit them from taking place after certain hours, in order to leave work earlier. For this measure to work, it is essential that managers lead by example.
7. Simple processes. Less bureaucracy means less time wasted: the digitalization of processes saves time, both for subordinates and those in charge
