Why it's good to talk
In today’s society all too often we find ourselves living in silos – not interacting with neighbours, extended family or the local community we live in – and this can translate to our work lives too.
How about a chat?
So, when another suggested solution lands on the HR doorstep, with the promise to “magic” away some of the challenges you face – stop, think and, before implementing another strategy or potentially time consuming plan, how about having a conversation with your people first?
Here is a simple idea to help make this happen – establish an internal forum or support network for employees to share their experiences of juggling home, finances, and work with each other.
At a recent event, I was part of a conversation where a lady was saying how unhappy she had been with her working hours since becoming a new mum, and how trying to juggle home and work life was a real struggle.
Sharing can lead to change
However, a sit down chat with her boss to talk about agile working prompted them to invite her to join a forum that had been put in place by her organisation to find out preferences for agile working, especially after a change in personal circumstance.
Sharing her experiences helped the company to review their processes, and the employee felt much happier at work. The lesson to learn here – talk to your workforce about agile working!
If the option is openly available, more employees may choose to work hours which not only meet core business needs but also allows them to juggle responsibilities and stay in control of their personal commitments. It’s also good for you; unplanned and unproductive absences are likely to be reduced.
In a recent client meeting, the HR director mentioned how financial education support groups and 1 to 1s had gone down a storm in his workplace.
Information and education is appreciated
It goes to show that providing financial education support and arming employees with information to help them stay in control of their financial well-being is often really appreciated and seen as a valuable additional by a workforce. The financial stability of employees is vital if they are to be able to provide the necessary support to themselves and perhaps parents and their children.
This all goes to show that often, having simple, straightforward conversations can help identify and present solutions that are not only better for business performance, but also for the emotional and financial well-being of employees.
Dipa Mistry Kandola is head of flexible benefits at Lane Clark & Peacock.
This article was provided by Lane Clark & Peacock.
