Mobility the new working environment.
Mobility and flexible working arrangements go hand in hand.
Many employees work at least one weekend every month. Why are some employees compelled (or motivated) to be “always on”? It could be because they love their work and find fulfilment in pursuing work goals when and where they want.
It could also be because of unhealthy pressures and cultural norms associated with the business. Knowing which is which is critical before assuming it’s a genuine engagement or impending burnout (the best way to learn is to ask).
You could set a bad example. Some stay connected to the job during time away, which is fine if it’s fun, but not so great if it’s stressful. While some never take their laptop on holidays, they always have their Smartphone and think about their work after they have had a week to unwind.
The workplace must be fun.
Today, people are looking for instant gratification and fun in the workplace. Opportunities emerge as they become more familiar with information technology and communications (ITC). Business can be won or lost with the click of a mouse. Those who can work from anywhere, at any time and aren’t tied to their desks can be physically on the case and more responsive to customers.
Mobility is about working from wherever you need to be. It can be at the beach, in a coffee shop with a client or colleague, in a taxi, while waiting for an aeroplane or while commuting. Employees also ask for flexible working arrangements to help them care for their children or sick relatives.
Is the technology strengthening collaboration and creating a sense of community even when employees aren’t physically in the same place? Making the best use of technology is what makes mobility possible. We have all come a long way towards allowing this to happen for everyone’s benefit. Things such as video-conferencing and mobile internet are now commonplace.
The traditional workday is a thing of the past. Clear policies and expectations will help all employees understand their boundaries, minimising guilt and improving job satisfaction. Just as you like to celebrate success in performance and meeting objectives, honour the person who maximises mobility, which is always refreshing.
Most importantly, do you need to revise your current strategies to meet the coming changes in how people want to work? For the new generations that will soon become the majority of the workforce, flexible work hours and personal fulfilment are more important than more money.
Quotable quotes.
“There is great demand everywhere in the world for individual mobility. People like the fact that they are not on somebody else’s schedule. They can come and go as they please”. William Clay Ford
“As far as income goes, there are three currencies in the world; most people ignore two. The three currencies are time, income and mobility, in descending order of importance. Most people focus exclusively on income”. Tim Ferris