Flexibility in the workplace is the new standard
After meeting with two O2 Web employees, the people at Flow came to an important realization: while some workers still perceive flexibility as a never-before-experienced luxury, others view it as a fundamental term of employment. How did we get here?
Work flexibility isn’t new, but a lot of companies and employees only just discovered it in recent years or months, thanks to the rise of digital technology and the disruptions caused by the pandemic. For a while, people stuck to traditional work hours, but eventually they started wondering if working 9 to 5 was really necessary for being effective and engaged. What if we stopped pretending to be robots and returned to a more natural state?
The desire for a new way of working emerged. For workers, the shift represented an opportunity to re-evaluate their priorities and focus on wellness and work-life balance. People wondered: “Why waste time travelling to the office if I can work just as well from home? Why adhere to a rigid schedule when my productivity naturally fluctuates from day to day? Why build a wall between my work and my personal life when it makes more sense to balance the two?”
“Flexibility is something I can’t do without. It makes my life better and healthier!”
All of these thoughts were front and centre in the mind of Lucie, a content marketing manager at O2 Web. As a young mother who used to work in a more rigid environment, she recently discovered the advantages of a hybrid work arrangement and flexible schedule.
“In my previous workplace, I was often on the receiving end of negative comments due to my reality as a new mom. I continually had to prove myself, show that I was engaged and productive,” Lucie confided. “At O2 Web, I discovered a level of flexibility that I didn’t even know existed. It blew me away.”
“I immediately got the sense that my managers trusted me by offering me flexibility from Day 1. This made me feel valued as a productive and competent professional, while also giving me the freedom to embrace my role as a mom and all the responsibilities that come with parenthood.”
“I no longer feel stressed if I have a doctor’s appointment in the middle of the day. With the freedom to juggle my schedule as needed, I’m actually more productive. Today, flexibility is something I can’t conceive of doing without. It makes my life better and healthier!” said Lucie.
“On Fridays, when my focus shifts away from work and toward the weekend, I just go with it!”
Meanwhile, Marie-Laurence, an HR advisor at O2 Web, has long known about the merits of a flexible workplace. “I’ve had flexible working conditions for several years, and I now think of flexibility as an essential prerequisite. Working for other companies in the past, I sometimes got the sense that my employers didn’t think I needed flexibility because I wasn’t a mom or caregiver.”
“Today, I can say that flexibility is important for everyone, not just for those who have sick kids at home.” If my focus wanes on Friday, I don’t sweat it and simply make up for it on Monday.”
All this is proof that flexibility leads to employee satisfaction at O2 Web! In addition to being a Flow-certified flexible company, the agency also earned Great Place to Work certification in 2022. And O2 Web doesn’t plan on stopping there!
O2 Web plans on regularly updating its flexible work policy based on the findings of employee surveys. That way, the benefits offered remain aligned with worker needs. “If benefits no longer reflect what people want, it’s bad for both employees and management. That’s why we’re actively checking in with employees by sending surveys and encouraging them to provide guilt-free feedback whenever they see fit. Their input is what allows us to review our evaluation methods, strengthen our communications and make sure we’re offering top-notch working conditions,” explained Marie-Laurence.
What’s this year’s priority? The agency wants to continue to stand out as a flexible employer that values its people and helps them grow!
Thanks to Flow for this article.
