Embracing Flexibility: Navigating Workforce Evolution in a Post-Pandemic Landscape

The workforce scene nowadays is a rollercoaster – the good, the bad, and the downright confusing. One thing’s for sure: the pandemic shook things up big time, especially at work. It fast-tracked and squeezed a bunch of changes in how businesses operate. While not all of it was bad, it was definitely tough.

As companies try to figure out these changes and how to keep their current employees happy or snag new ones, we see a universal constant – flexibility. So, we wanted to learn more about what flexibility looks like for local businesses. We asked InUnison members how they are instituting flexibility, whether job functions allowed for off-site work and about the creative ways they are offering flexible benefits to team members. Here are the highlighted results:

• On-Site vs. Off-Site Dynamics: A striking 55.2% of respondents indicated that their job functions necessitate on-site presence. This statistic reflects the diverse array of industries that continue to rely on physical presence for their operations.
• The Flexibility Spectrum: Interestingly, a significant number of participants have ventured into flexible waters. This includes incorporating partial remote work options (44.8%), embracing a relaxed dress code (41.4%), and a tied (34.5%) offering flexible start and end times or some choice over the hours they work. These trends underscore the newfound equilibrium between comfort and productivity.
• Rewards for Excellence: Demonstrating a proactive approach towards nurturing a thriving work environment, an impressive 65.5% of respondents are offering tangible motivations in bonuses or other paid incentives.
• Personal and Family Care: Many businesses are putting more emphasis on employee personal or family care with 44.8% offering health care stipends or coverage and 34.5% offering family leave.

We asked respondents if they were trying anything new or piloting any programs and received the following:

• Education credits for training classes or to pay back student loans
• Employee bonuses for referrals
• Career development opportunities in training and mentoring
• Profit share
• Unlimited PTO policy
• 401K matches

We also know that many businesses offer more workplace culture initiatives that are less concrete than typical benefits like:

• Inclusive Decision-Making: Employees being part of strategic staffing decisions fosters a sense of ownership and unity.
• Moments of Celebration: Marking milestones, birthdays, and ad hoc awards adds a touch of celebration and camaraderie to the workplace.
• Unconventional Rewards: From sponsoring housekeeping for top employees to introducing a high-end massage chair for the team, businesses are exploring creative ways to acknowledge excellence.

In a nutshell, innovation isn’t just about the latest gadget or fancy software. It’s about shaking things up, trying out new approaches, and creating an environment where people want to be. These initiatives shared by members are a testament to the fact that workplaces are evolving, and the people driving these changes are at the heart of it all.

To view the full results of the poll, click here.