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Experts from Tripartite Alliance for Fair and Progressive Employment Practices on how to create a sustainable flexible work arrangement for everyone in your organisation.
Organisation leaders and HR practitioners play a critical role in the sustainable implementation of flexible work arrangements (FWAs) that benefit both the business and the individual.
Planning to introduce FWAs in your organisation? Here are five useful tips based on best practices from organisations that have successfully implemented FWAs:
1. Assess the feasibility of different FWAs based on your business needs
Assess FWAs based on your business needs or the nature of the role, such as whether a job is time-dependent or location-dependent. Time-dependent jobs have to be done at specific times (e.g. finance sector). Location-dependent jobs have to be done in fixed physical locations (e.g. retail and manufacturing sector).
2. Value performance over physical presence
Organisational behaviour is shaped by what is measured and rewarded. You can encourage the responsible use of FWAs by using performance indicators instead of physical presence to assess and reward employees. For example, you can practise performance-based management by setting clear targets, timelines and expected job deliverables upfront with your employees.
3. Cultivate a culture that supports the responsible use of FWAs
Employee scepticism and fear are key barriers to the successful implementation of FWAs. For example, employees may avoid using FWAs out of fear that their performance review or career progression may be affected.
You can help to address such concerns by encouraging senior management and line managers to:
- Publicly endorse the use of FWAs responsibly,
- Share success stories of employees adopting FWAs,
- Display flexibility in their own working arrangements,
- Properly consider all FWA requests fairly and objectively, and
- Have an open and constructive dialogue with employees on possible alternatives, if the original request is not feasible.
4. Train and trust your employees to work in a flexible work environment
In today’s digital workplace, it is important for supervisors to know how to manage teams on flexible work arrangements. Conversely, employees should receive the relevant training and support to ensure they are accountable when working without supervision. For example, you can consider organising events and activities to educate employees on FWA usage.
5. Develop a change management plan
To achieve long-term success and sustainability, your change management plan should address the following elements (where relevant):
- Business needs and desired outcomes
- Potential risks and issues
- Values and cultural change
- Communication and training plans
- Performance measures and expectations
Visit TAFEP’s website to learn more about the types of FWAs and tips on how to implement FWAs.
Do also check out the Tripartite Guidelines on Flexible Work Arrangement Requests to find out more about how employees should request for FWAs and use them and, how employers and supervisors should handle FWA requests.
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