Creating a Telework Program: 6 Ways to Navigate a Changing Workforce
Teleworking, remote work and hybrid flex work are all terms used in the business community. Since the start of Covid-19, more and more businesses have opted for non-traditional work programs. However, as industries recover and businesses bring their employees back to the office, many employers are struggling to find solutions to a growing problem: employees quitting when being told they must come back to the office full-time. Here’s how employers can navigate a changing workforce by creating a telework program that works for everyone.
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The 411 on Teleworking
Teleworking has a variety of benefits, both for the employer and the employee. Employers can reduce overhead costs, attract the best employees, and increase company retention. Employees, on the other hand, can save money on commuting costs, save time, and gain flexibility. However, there are some cons to teleworking. Many employees have fewer socialization opportunities with other coworkers. Plus, some roles benefit from face-to-face collaboration. Employers, of course, cite unused office buildings and utility costs from not having employees physically in the office.
The Solution: Hybrid Teleworking Programs
For employers that don’t want to sell their office space and instead shift to a co-working subscription, hybrid teleworking programs are the way to go. These programs typically require employees to come into the office one to two days per work week, then they can work remote for the rest of the days. How many remote days a company offers is entirely up to them, but these programs have more success than full remote and full in-person programs overall. Employees want flexibility and supportive workplace cultures, and hybrid teleworking programs can help achieve that goal.
Creating a Successful Telework Program
Employers play a vital role in supporting their employees and reducing stress, especially during a time of transition from full remote to hybrid work. Here are some ways you can support your employees during this time and create a successful telework program.
- Give commuters choices. For many employees, the biggest benefit of working from home meant they didn’t have to sit in hours of traffic. However, as an employer, you can invest in providing various commuter options for your employees to utilize. Allowing your employees to choose from a variety of ways to get to and from work can help to reduce the stress of daily commuting. Incentivizing these programs can help encourage participation. By offering front-row parking spaces to vanpools and working with your locality to place a bus stop within a block of your business, you can show your employees your commitment to reducing their commuting stress. Here at TRAFFIX, we partner with Hampton Roads Transit to offer the distinctive GoPass365, a premier transit pass that allows businesses and colleges a large number of passes at a discounted rate. Participants can use their pass for all basic modes of HRT services. It’s perfect for businesses small and large!
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- Stay flexible. As an employer, one of the best things you can do for your employees is stay flexible. For many employees, they will need to figure out childcare, grocery delivery and more since they will now have to account for more time at work. Their breaks will be less about getting personal tasks complete and more about stepping away from their desk. There might be times an employee needs to stay home with their child and swap out their remote workdays. Giving them the flexibility they need will help create a more supportive workplace.
- Offer better amenities. Gone are the days of a pizza party to show appreciation. Instead, consider how you can provide your employees with better amenities that incentivize coming into the office. On-site cafes with one free drink or sandwich a day, weekly food trucks, breast-feeding areas and even reimagined meeting spaces are all things you can do as an employer to make your employees feel better about being away from their home offices.
- Think outside the box. Get creative with your benefits. Go bold and offer a gas stipend to your employees on the days they need to come in for work, or, alternatively, consider their commute as part of their working hours. Remind your employees about all the cost-saving commuter rewards they can receive when they log their trips in the ConnectingVA app.
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- Keep Communicating. Just like when transitioning into full-remote work, keeping communication is a major way you can create a successful telework program. Send emails, IMs and more. Keep utilizing a project management software to organize tasks and deadlines. Set up bulletin boards where employees can find information, but make sure you keep them updated!
- Reimagine your office space. You want to encourage conversation and collaboration while people are in the office so employees can see the benefit of being in person. Set up co-working spaces within your office floor plan rather than forcing employees to share desks or sit at tall cubicles. Convert management offices into reservable meeting spaces or quiet rooms, where employees can have a focus session or private call. Turn conference rooms into comfortable areas with couches and chairs. Order a few portable walking pads employees can check out to facilitate movement while at their desks. Many public transit services are rolling out system-wide WiFi on all their modes of transit. Encourage your employees to complete tasks on their rides and increase their commuter benefits. Together, all these unique repurposed spaces will create a workplace people want to come to.
Everyone will need to adapt to the culture change. Share information about the program as it continues to develop and introduce new benefits to keep employees engaged. And, don’t forget, your employees are people first. Show them you prioritize them during this transition, and they will show their thanks through higher productivity and better results.