With the events of the past few weeks leading more businesses to think creatively about how and where their staff work from, this week’s blog is very timely ...
When I speak with Entrepreneurs about the reasons for striking out on their own, apart from passion for their area of expertise, almost all of them stated increased flexibility. Whether to spend the entire summer away, attend all of their favourite football team’s away matches or be able to collect their children from school. However, when their staff start requesting to work flexibly, they find it difficult to accommodate them.
Small businesses are by their nature lean, so finding yourself missing a vital member of staff one day a week or for additional hours every day, can present an issue with your ability to deliver a quality service to your customers. However, if you can find a mutually agreeable solution, you get to retain passionate, motivated and dedicated staff. After all, it’s only natural that they would be as dedicated to things of importance outside of work, as they are inside of work.
Legally speaking, when you receive a formal request for flexible working, you have to give it serious consideration and should you be unable to accommodate the request, explain your reasoning for declining a request in writing.
Below are some things to consider when you receive a request:
· Does the role have to be performed from the office?
· Does the role have to be performed during your regular office hours?
· Is there potential to review the role and create efficiencies?
· Could you make the role a job share?
· Is there a potential compromise?
· You can have trial period
· You should have a regular review period, not an open-ended agreement
· Make sure everything is documented
Also, remember having the reputation of being a flexible employer will help you to recruit highly qualified staff who are unable to work full time or standard hours. This will increase your resource pool and ability to flex your workforce according to your business demands.
It really can be a win/win.
Catch the replay of our livestream about managing your staff remotely on Boss It Live TV to get some tips