The Benefits & Challenges Of Working In Flexible Work Environments

The pandemic has dynamically changed the work environment from what we have known in the past. The hybrid work environment model is more likely to become the new normal. It is going to be the norm. The current flexible working space has provided us with the opportunity to rethink the way we work. As offices open up again around the globe, it is time for us to reflect on whether the work-from-home model was a success, rethink the ways we interact with each other in an office setting, and how to support flexible work environments as they become an increasingly common part of the new work culture.

Let us look at some of the benefits and challenges that flexible work environments

Improved Work-Life Balance For Working Parents

Working parents face the challenge of balancing their work and family. Remote working gave the working parents an opportunity to cut down the time they had to spend on the commute and spend more time with their family. Over 50% of parents believed that their work-life balance was better with the introduction of remote working.

Although it was a constant struggle to set the boundaries between working and spending time with family, it gave them an opportunity to have more time with their family compared to working on-site. It also ensured parents were a little less stressed by being at home around their family all time, hence helping them to be more productive.

While personal life might have seen an uptick, some employees did find it challenging to keep in touch with their team members and peers. Well, the transformation was more of a struggle at the beginning but got more accessible with time.

Cloud-based collaboration tools ensured the workers can be closer to their team while sitting at their home. These tools ensured everyone was in sync and on track. The pandemic did force most organizations to adapt to these productivity tools but that made them future-proof in such dynamic working environments.

Supporting Junior Employees

As in-person interactions get limited, junior employees who are just getting into the workplace may find it challenging to enjoy the connections that their older peers enjoyed while in the office. We have to keep in mind that over 50% of the total population of workers are millennials and Gen Z. In order to make them feel comfortable and not left out, it is the duty of a team and leaders to keep them motivated and be in regular touch with them.
Remote tools allow people from across the globe irrespective of their location connect virtually, opening up opportunities for the younger workforce to connect with multi-generational employees and learn from their experience. It has opened up opportunities for the more experienced employees to coach and help out the younger population to learn new skills. It also provides feedback to the leaders and senior management to be relevant to Gen Z and millennials, and connect with them effectively.

Remote working has opened up gates to bridge the accessibility gap for the younger employees, helping them to boost their careers and learn new skills that are vital for their growth as individuals.

Creating a Virtual Community

Virtual meetings and collaborative activities are essential to keep the teams together and share ideas on the fly. The flexible working environment made employees rely more and more on technology to execute their tasks, thus vastly improving their digital skills.

Employees today have got comfortable with virtual meeting software, online tools and other virtual communication platforms. Technology has greatly aided the ability to communicate more effectively. Sharing of ideas and brainstorming got more accessible over online platforms. Incorporating technology while communicating made it easier for multilingual meetings as colleagues speaking different languages could communicate utilizing real-time translation.

Online and virtual tools also ensure that ideas are turned into actions. Tracking tools made it harder to hide inaction and delays, making it more effective for employees to be on track and work to deadlines. The hybrid working environment when implemented properly has made collaborations quicker and easier. Innovations and sharing of ideas have become more accessible and efficient. Creating a cohesive virtual community that is connected and quicker in implementing new ideas.

Building An Inclusive Workforce

A remote working environment provides the opportunity to have a more inclusive workforce consisting of people with disabilities, overseas employees, and working parents. It gave an opportunity for people who are not considered as part of an active workforce to be relevant and be equal contributors. Diversity in teams can help bring in new ideas and innovation to the table which would not have been possible in the traditional workplace setting

Flexible work environments as we can see have a lot of potential when implemented properly to any workforce. As remote working becomes more and more common across different industries, adapting to the new normal is not just important but a necessity. It brings the workforce closer and opens doors for more accessible communication across the workplace.

A flexible working environment can also improve the work-life balance of workers, contributing to keeping the employees satisfied with their job. Flexibility is essential considering the work environment is ever-changing and we have to be prepared for any future challenges that come our way.

So if you are looking for a job with more flexible work opportunities then send in your resume to
[email protected] or call (317) 509-3954. Our team at V24 Staffing can be the perfect partner for you and help you find a job that best fits your requirements.

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