Getting Flex Right
There is no one size fits all but we there are some proven key steps employers can take to create a successful flexible working culture.
1. Listen
It might sounds obvious. If you’re going to create a more flexible working culture with more choice you need to know what people want. The first, and most crucial step, to creating more flex is to listen to your people.



2. Secure Senior Buy-in And Make Flex A Strategic Priority
For best success flexible working should be embedded into your core business strategy and not a ‘bolt on’. You will also need buy in and support from senior managers – people take their cues from people not policies.



3. Create Frameworks For Success
While successful flex involves handing over more control to employees its can be helpful to create an informal flex framework, or guidelines, outlining what’s feasible. And where there are red lines. This is invaluable to line managers and helps with decision making.



4. Support Line Managers
If line managers are going to manage teams that are working differently, perhaps with more remote working, or different hours and shift patterns, they will likely need support to adapt and continue getting the best from their team. It’s also highly likely they will need to have difficult conversations with people about what kind of flex is and isn’t possible. Having clear guidelines as well as training, mentoring and role-playing scenarios is well worth the investment.



5. Keep Communicating
Make sure you keep talking about flex. So everyone across the organisation , whether they’re a line manager, or an employee, knows what’s possible, and that it’s ok for them to ask about it. This can be via intranet hubs, emails, internal blogs or events, team meetings and 1-2-1s.


