How Managers in Every Industry Can Support Flexibility

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For most employees, flexibility isn’t just a “nice to have” benefit anymore — it’s a requirement. It’s key for their work-life balance and mental health, and it also affects their job satisfaction. In fact, nearly 3 out of 4 workers who are unhappy with the amount of flexibility they have said they’re likely to look for a new job in the next year.

But implementing a flexible work model isn’t always easy. While this can be a positive change if you’re a manager, you’ll need to shift your focus from being present at the office to overseeing employees from a distance. And while companies have a key role to play in defining their flexibility policy, it’s really up to managers to put this into practice and ensure that it works for everyone.

That’s why I created my new LinkedIn Learning course, How to Support Flexible Work as a Manager . In this 14-module course, I share key findings from my own research, and I also highlight case studies from four companies: Amazon, Verizon, State Farm, and Nielsen. Their managers overcame unique challenges to offer flexibility, and I know you’ll find their stories inspiring.

You’ll learn how to assess your readiness to support flexible work policies and select the right type of arrangement for your employees and your business. I’ll show you how to pilot your new approach, solicit ongoing feedback, and keep the lines of communication open with your team. You’ll also discover what it takes to optimize performance and productivity within a flexible work model.

Over the past decade, I’ve conducted over 60 research studies on nearly every workplace topic imaginable. I’ve also written extensively about workplace trends, one of which is the importance of offering flexibility for all employees — not just those who can work remotely or whose schedules lend themselves to flexible arrangements. This is one of the main topics I address in this course, using the four case studies as well as my own research on this trend.

I’m passionate about helping companies prepare for the future, and I believe there’s no better time than now to implement a flexible strategy for your people. Over 4 million workers continue to quit each month as part of the ongoing Great Resignation, and numerous studies have found that flexibility is one of the key things people seek out when looking for a new job. ??

In today’s article I’m pleased to share a sneak peek of my new course — subscribe to my FREE Workplace Intelligence Insider newsletter and you’ll immediately receive the preview. And if this content resonates with you, then I’d highly recommend you join me on LinkedIn Learning for the full How to Support Flexible Work as a Manager course. The course includes 14 modules covering the topics below:

Introduction

• The role of managers in flexible workplace

Assess Your Readiness to Support Flexible Work

• Discuss flexibility preferences with your employees
• Balance employee and business needs
• Case study: Amazon

Evaluate and Test Your Flexible Work Approach

• Evaluate different work arrangements
• Pilot a flexible work approach
• Case study: Nielsen

Communicate and Adapt

• Keep lines of communication open
• Solicit ongoing feedback
• Case study: Verizon

From Presenteeism to Performance

• Leverage data
• Optimize performance and productivity
• Case study: State Farm

Conclusion

• Embrace flex culture