Ready for 2023? Here’s Why the Future of IT Staffing Is All About Employee Flexibility
Now that the first month of 2023 has come and gone, many of our clients are focused on setting their teams up for success and figuring out how to tackle the lofty objectives they set for the new year. But no matter the goal, one of the most common factors to help achieve success is having the right people on staff. And when it comes to today’s workforce—especially the IT workforce—there’s one thing candidates want above all else: flexibility at work.
“People are interested in the idea of flexibility,” explains Tim Nau, TeamSoft Division Director. “They want to work from home, pick their kid up from school, schedule a haircut in the middle of the day—whatever it is—they want that flexibility.”
Why Is Flexibility Important in the Workplace?
In a recent poll we posted on LinkedIn, we asked our community: Besides pay rate, what do you consider most when deciding your next career move? Unsurprisingly, the most popular answer at 58% was work-life balance.
Work-life balance isn’t a new concept, but according to our community, flexibility in the workplace is more important than ever. One of the main reasons this has become a sought-after pillar for job seekers is that they feel they can get more done with greater control over how and where they work.
If COVID-19 taught us anything, it’s that most tech jobs don’t require a commute to the office every day. Many professionals have become adept at managing their calendars, conducting meetings over applications like Zoom or Slack, and working within the confines of their homes. The flexibility of being remote has made it easier for people to work on their core responsibilities and give them a little more wiggle room to spend time with family, go to the gym or simply relax. So, it should be no surprise that flexibility is a hot topic in the workplace.
Why Some Companies Are Revoking Remote Perks
Even though flexibility is now an essential part of work culture for many, some companies are actually doing away with their remote working policies.
At this point, most of us are familiar with the debate over the virtues of being remote versus in the office. Some believe that creating a physical workspace for your employees fosters collaboration and teamwork; others argue that it’s easier to get things done when you’re in the comfort of your own home without the distractions of office chatter.
Many big-name brands (Best Buy, IBM and Bank of America, to name a few) have completely revoked their remote working policies or begun reducing their flexibility benefits. But there may be some significant ramifications for employers taking this route.
The Risk of Following in These Companies’ Shoes
As an employer, revoking remote work options from your tech team (or never offering them in the first place) could have perhaps unintended but severe consequences for your company. Again, most people focus on finding an employer that prioritizes work-life balance. If you’re a company that has ended its remote working program, your tech team has likely already started looking elsewhere. And if they’re not, they will be soon. Not having flexibility as a perk will also make attracting new talent much more challenging.
How to Give Your Team Flexibility While Still Being Collaborative
So, what can you do if you want your team to work well together but don’t necessarily need everyone in the same office space? How can you offer employees flexibility but still keep them engaged and motivated to work towards company goals?
Here are a few options you can try out:
- Create a hybrid work schedule with self-selected or agreed-upon in-office days, for example, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, or eight days per month
- Gather team feedback to see what works best for them
- Expressly state flex-time policies and expectations
- Reward team collaboration and performance
- Make the office a space people are excited to be in
- Build a support system for remote employees
- Ensure your team has the resources and tools needed for hybrid collaboration
- Focus on effort and the results it gets—not necessarily on a full eight hours worked
- Cultivate respect and trust between coworkers
- Emphasize the importance of communication
While these are just some of the ways you can offer flexibility to your team, the options are limitless. Feel free to get creative. And of course, while these ideas might not be perfect for every company, at the end of the day, it’s all about finding a balance between what works best for your team and what will ultimately serve the company.
Get Ahead of the IT Staffing Trends with TeamSoft
Every year, new technology and talent shape the hiring landscape. And when it comes to IT staffing, TeamSoft is always ahead of the curve, ensuring our clients thrive in these new trends. And a massive part of this is our Targeted Selection Process which makes the entire hiring process much easier and more efficient.
Ready to take your hiring to the next level and find ways to attract and retain top tech talent? Contact us today to start the conversation.
