Managing Employees in a Flexible Workplace

Leading with Trust in a Flexible Workplace

Managing employees in flexible workspaces requires a shift from micromanagement to trust and autonomy.

• Trust over surveillance: Empower employees by trusting them to manage their schedules and work environments.
• Feedback loop: Continuous, open feedback is essential for keeping flexible work models agile and responsive.
• Recognition: Virtual recognition methods, like digital shoutouts and badges, maintain motivation and team spirit.
• Empowerment ecosystem: A thriving culture of trust, feedback, skill development, and recognition fosters productivity and morale.
• Who it’s for: Employers and managers seeking to navigate the modern, flexible workplace effectively.

The New Age of Autonomy: Trust Over Surveillance

In the age of the flexible workspace, a new management paradigm has taken root. The lens of micromanagement, which may have been the norm in traditional office environments, doesn’t quite fit here. Flexible workspaces shift the balance, emphasizing trust over surveillance.

The modern workspace recognizes that employees are not just cogs in a machine; they’re dynamic individuals who crave autonomy. Micromanaging, with its constant surveillance and control, is not just counterproductive but could also harm morale. In contrast, trust generates respect, deepens commitment, and fosters innovation. Trusting employees to manage their schedules and choose their work environments is now non-negotiable.

61% of employees reported that they would prefer if they were allowed to come into the office when they need to and work from home when they need to. In other words, it’s conditional upon autonomy.

Jabra Hybrid Work Study

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A Two-Way Street: Feedback and Open Channels

Empowerment isn’t simply about granting freedom and stepping back. It’s a continuous conversation, a partnership between the employer and the employee. In the world of flexible workspaces, feedback isn’t just useful; it’s vital.

Being responsive to the shifting needs and concerns of employees ensures that the flexible models provided stay agile, effective, and relevant. This continuous dialogue makes employees feel integral to the decision-making process, enhancing their sense of belonging. Furthermore, this feedback loop can unveil hidden challenges and open doors to innovative solutions.

Regular feedback sessions, facilitated by digital platforms, can provide insights into employees’ evolving needs. And anonymous surveys can be a powerful tool in capturing unfiltered feedback.

“You need to understand what your employees want from flexible work, and what they value in an office, and then provide that.”

Nina Gordon, Culture and Communications Lead, Pleo

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Celebrating Successes: Recognition in the Flexible Era

The digital realm may have changed how we work, but the human need for recognition remains unchanged. It’s the glue that binds teams, fostering motivation and camaraderie.

Recognition in the flexible workspace era must be innovative. It’s about translating physical acknowledgements—like a pat on the back or a round of applause in a meeting—into digital equivalents that resonate just as profoundly. This shift might mean virtual shoutouts, digital badges, or unique recognition rituals that the team can look forward to.

Use platforms like Bonusly or Kudos to infuse recognition into everyday workflow seamlessly. Even if it’s a digital badge or a shoutout in a team chat, the impact of these gestures is profound.

The Empowerment Ecosystem

Empowerment isn’t an isolated act; it’s an ecosystem. An ecosystem where trust, feedback, skill development, and recognition feed into each other, creating a vibrant, motivated, and efficient workspace. This empowerment ecosystem doesn’t just bolster productivity; it builds a culture. A culture where every individual knows their worth, feels valued, and is motivated to contribute their best.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How does trust play a role in managing employees in a flexible workplace?

Trust is central in flexible workspaces. Rather than micromanaging employees, which can hurt morale, a trust-based management approach fosters respect, deepens commitment, and drives innovation. Employees are trusted to manage their schedules and choose their work environments, which increases autonomy and job satisfaction.

2. How can employers maintain effective communication in a flexible workplace?

In a flexible workplace, communication becomes a two-way street. Regular feedback sessions and open channels are crucial for maintaining an ongoing dialogue between employees and employers. This ensures that flexible work models stay relevant and that employees feel heard, valued, and integral to decision-making processes.

3. What role does feedback play in managing employees in a flexible work environment?

Feedback is essential in a flexible work environment. It helps employers understand employees’ evolving needs, and ensures that the workplace remains adaptable and effective. Regular feedback, through digital platforms or anonymous surveys, captures employee concerns and uncovers potential challenges, allowing for continuous improvement.

4. How can employers recognize and celebrate success in a remote or hybrid workplace?

Recognition in a flexible workplace should be innovative and can include digital equivalents of in-person acknowledgments, such as virtual shoutouts, digital badges, or unique recognition rituals. Tools like Bonusly or Kudos help integrate recognition into daily workflows, ensuring employees feel appreciated and motivated.

5. How can empowerment contribute to productivity in a flexible workplace?

Empowerment is a key driver of productivity in a flexible work environment. By fostering an ecosystem where trust, feedback, skill development, and recognition interact, employers create a culture where employees feel valued. This boosts morale and efficiency, motivating employees to contribute their best work.

6. How does a flexible work environment impact employee morale and motivation?

A flexible work environment, which emphasizes autonomy, trust, and recognition, significantly boosts employee morale. When employees are empowered with control over their schedules and work environments, they feel valued and trusted, leading to increased motivation, job satisfaction, and a sense of belonging.

7. How can employers adapt traditional recognition methods to the digital workspace?

In the digital realm, traditional recognition methods like in-person praise need to be adapted to fit the remote or hybrid model. Employers can use digital platforms to provide virtual shoutouts, badges, or public acknowledgments via team chats or virtual meetings, ensuring employees feel recognized despite working remotely.