A majority of companies have spent the past 20 years diving headfirst into the 21st century. Embracing new technologies and workplace policies has become the norm for some of the biggest and most innovative companies, but others have been less enthusiastic about the changing landscape of the business world. If you’re not sure how you feel about hiring these days, we’ve put together some reasons you should consider going with the flow. This will give you an idea on what jobseekers want.
Job seekers are becoming more and more interested in one thing—flexibility. Research from Indeed.com shows that searches for terms like “remote,” “telecommute” and “work from home” are up 32% since last July. With Americans busier and more stressed than ever, a lack of flexibility can be a deal breaker for some job seekers.
While job seekers are looking for work flexibility more than they ever have in the past, some companies have found that it doesn’t work for them. Several major companies—including IBM, Bank of America, Yahoo and Honeywell—have cut back or eliminated their remote work programs, citing a need for more collaboration among teams.
What can you do to ensure that work flexibility is working out for both the company and the employee?
- Hire the Right People
Hiring well is always important, but it’s especially so when you’re filling remote positions. You want to ensure that your new hire is a self-starter and won’t need anyone looking after them to get things done. It’s helpful if they have experience freelancing or doing work with little or no supervision.
- Make Compromises—and Insist that Your Employees Do, Too
A flexible work schedule works best when the employee spends some time in the office. Splitting the time between office and home can give employees the opportunity to collaborate and come up with ideas together—and then some peace and quiet to work out the details for themselves.
- Stay Connected
You can keep your employees in the loop by using e-mail and phone calls (like you’ve probably always done), but you can also use technology like Google Hangouts and Skype to video chat with employees. Seeing someone’s face makes a huge difference—you can get a real read on how they’re feeling about things.
While remote work and flexible schedules are more important to job seekers these days, you don’t have to sacrifice quality of work to get top talent. Once you’re in agreement on what works for both parties, you’re on your way to a productive and meaningful workplace relationship.
Looking for more great tips on finding and attracting top talent? Check out our blog, or consider contacting a TalentBridge recruiter for expert help with search and staffing!