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Aligning Workplace Flexibility
to Business Productivity
AXA Equitable Life Insurance Company
W
Workplace flexibility is a topic that is dis-
cussed almost on a daily basis. As our workplaces be-
come more inclusive, we must continue to refine our
flexibility programs. During these tough economic
times, some employers have answered the call by in-
stituting new programs to meet demand. In addition
to responding to employee needs, providing flexibility
can be a great way to reward, engage, and retain em-
ployees. It can also improve customer service.
Despite these benefits, many companies still strug-
gle with the business case for workplace flexibility. Too
often it is viewed as an accommodation rather than a
business driver. Connecting flexibility to productivity
is key to gaining executive acceptance and support. We
all respond to data, and productivity data is quite com-
pelling when it comes to making the case for flexibility.
It is only when flexibility becomes linked with business
performance that companies will be able to grow and
sustain a culture of flexibility.
There are a number of ways that companies
can align their flexibility programs to business
productivity.
Team-Based Programs
These programs focus on delivering business results
through the use of flexibility. Flexibility is offered to
all members of a team regardless of their individual
needs. When initiating a team flexibility program,
the team determines productivity improvement goals
in advance, and works collectively to reach their goals
while participating in flexible work arrangements. This
approach can be highly successful because it empowers
employees to take ownership of their work. A team-
based flexibility program can also help identify inef-
ficient processes and generate innovative solutions to
improve performance. Such programs can significantly
By Anna Pintsov
Vice President, HR Innovation
decrease absenteeism and
overtime costs, and mea-
surably increase employee
engagement while improving customer service.
Employee and Manager Toolkits Focused on
Productivity Improvements
Many of us have toolkits to assist managers and
employees in setting up a flexible work arrangement.
Toolkits should include guidelines on how employees
can track productivity while using flexibility. Focus-
ing on measuring productivity will assist employees in
using data to support the business case for flexibility.
Employees will no longer need to justify the request
for flexibility with personal reasons; rather, the justi-
fication will be better business results. Measuring pro-
ductivity will help assure managers that flexible work
arrangements maintain or increase work efficiency.
Flexibility Tracking
Once a process is in place to track flexible work ar-
rangements, we can start to analyze the data related to
performance and link it to flexibility. We can also mea-
sure changes in employee engagement and customer
service. Finally, tracking data assists with the measure-
ment of culture change.
Flexibility is here to stay. Demand will continue to
increase as greater numbers of Gen-Y employees, who
want more control over how, when and where they
perform their work, continue to enter the workforce.
Tying flexibility to productivity allows employees the
freedom to be their most efficient while reassuring
managers that the job is getting done. However, flex-
ibility must be woven throughout a company’s culture
if it’s going to help the company successfully attract
and retain talent, and sustain long-term productivity
results. PDJ
Prof iles in Div er s it y Jou r na l January/February 2010 41