Flexibility is everyone’s responsibility
Policies are rightly being set by management to create more flexible working environments, but the real focus must now turn to the staff themselves to support it, argues DDB Melbourne managing director Kate Sterling.
I’m incredibly proud how businesses are adopting stronger policies around diversity and more flexible working environments but it’s adoption (and success) goes far beyond just setting a policy.
It has everything to do with fostering an open, respectful and supportive working environment to make this truly work. While policies are rightly being set by management, the real focus must now turn to the staff themselves in ensuring they understand the importance of supporting it.
Flexibility impacts all staff, jobs need to be shared, working styles and processes changed, but above all it requires everyone to muck in.
‘Flexible’ is a vague abstract word.
An idea you can take to mean whatever you like.
Kate, if ‘flexible’ means giving your staff freedom to choose when they start and finish work, say so. Shout it loud and clear for the world to hear.
Don’t be like most companies. Don’t parrot management-speak of a ‘productive, inclusive workplace’, ‘healthy culture’ blah blah blah.
Tell your staff how you’ll let them choose their working hours.
Ditch the jargon. Spell out in plain English what you mean by ‘open, respectful and supportive’.
Avoid buzzwords like ‘commitment’.
Simply say you will or won’t do something.
nice article and sentiment Kate.
it’s an incredibly complex issue, not least because agencies are still to a large extent remunerated by a head hours based formula.
the ultimate key to this needs to be judging employees and partners on the results and output of their work and having agencies also remunerated by their output and value added too…not their input.
Once companies become true performance cultures, then ‘time at desk’ or ‘hours in office’ will no longer be as relevant in determining employee success
It’s great to see the flexible working mindset hitting agencies, who have historically been well-known to work excessive hours. You are right Kate, it takes everyone to welcome the flexible working concept and make sure that it succeeds. Looking forward to seeing a positive change in the industry!