Flexible working as the key to success

Flexible working, which has gained importance due to digitalization, offers numerous advantages for both employees and employers. It includes flexible working hours (such as flexitime or compressed workweek) as well as the option to work from home. This leads to higher employee satisfaction, better work-life balance and increased productivity. Clear agreements should be made at the time of implementation, and the model should be based on trust and clear performance criteria. Important aspects include regular feedback, adherence to rest periods and promoting team cohesion through virtual meetings and team events. Flexible working also requires a high degree of self-organization and responsibility.

A working day that takes place from Monday to Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., is hardly imaginable for many people anymore. For many companies, this is already a reality. Since the working world gained more freedom as a result of digitization, the personal needs of employees, who are part of flexible working, have been paramount. For both employees and employers, this model offers a number of advantages that make flexible working ever more attractive.

Flexible working models

While flexible work used to be approved individually, albeit to a lesser extent, companies are now under almost pressure to integrate flexible working practices into everyday life and to normalize them to a certain extent. On topic flexibility Is it about either the place of work or the working time (e.g. flexitime). When it comes to flexitime, employees are free to set their own start and end times within a limited framework. Another flexible time model is the compressed work week that involves working 35-40 hours in less than the standard 5-day week. In addition, part-time or shift work can also be made possible. Even that job sharing is possible with a flexible way of working. The aim is to balance professional and private life. Independence from location makes it possible to work from home, i.e. remotely or in the office in a traditional way.

Overall, when working flexibly, an increased employee satisfaction be identified. They benefit from flexible working hours or work part-time, which is often better suited to their private life. In many cases, working hours are adjusted to school and care hours. That too Home Office is becoming increasingly attractive. The activities can also be focused on the most productive phase of the day for each individual.

The home office, which goes hand in hand with reduced travel time, creates new opportunities to reconcile professional and private life. But it is not only the time saved, but also the overall satisfaction that makes for a better working atmosphere, because who likes to be stuck in traffic for hours before work?

With flexible working, you can only work if there is really something to work on. As an employer, you can decide when how much work is needed.

Flexible working is also often an advantage for potentially new employees.

What must be considered during the introduction?

• Clear agreements should be made. Expectations and framework conditions must be clearly formulated and communicated.
• Every employee is free to decide whether to use flexible working. Not everyone likes working from home. It is up to each employee whether and to what extent the company's services are used.
• The model of flexible working is primarily based on trust. What counts in the end is the work results.
• The criteria for employee performance must be defined and documented beforehand so that performance can be measured objectively.
• Employees who often work from home also have the right to feedback. Regular, constructive criticism, but also recognition and appreciation are important here and should never be neglected.
• The rest periods, during which calls and emails are not answered, must be observed, even when working from home.
• New opportunities for meetings must be made available so that they can also take place virtually.
• Joint team events are essential to strengthen team exchange and cohesion.

Flexible working rules

• Switch off devices after work.
• Work models should be critically reviewed beforehand, as employees often feel uncomfortable without a predefined structure.
• Every employee should be made aware of responsibility and entrepreneurial thinking.
• Tasks, goals and deadlines must be clearly communicated.
• Adapted to personal needs, the work rhythm should be defined.
• In order to promote social skills, networking must take place regularly.
• Care is the be-all and end-all when it comes to flexible working.
• Flexible work requires a high degree of self-organization. To do this, employees should know their own strengths and weaknesses.