The future of work is flexible. But here’s the kicker, the future is here and it’s more than just flexible, it’s hyflex. Hyflex is a combination of all the best attributes of both hybrid and flexible systems. So, hyflex work policies are a delicate combination of everything we love about those for hybrid and flexible workplaces individually.
Having clearly established policies in the workplace helps your company ensure they follow all regulatory requirements and improves team culture and employee satisfaction by eliminating the ability for managers to play favorites or treat employees unfairly. But— Upwork found that more than half of companies still don’t have a formal remote work policy.
We know...policies can be hard. But fear not, we made a guide and templates for creating remote and flexible work policies, try it out!
Hyflex workflows and HR procedures are a natural response to the evolving needs of the modern employee. Last year, 70% of full time workers in the United States worked from home during COVID-19 and 77% agreed that after COVID-19, having the option to work from home would make them happier. As employees become more flexible, so should the operations and infrastructure built to support them.
Hyflex policies are not so much a solution to a problem as they are an industry wide adjustment to keep up with constantly evolving employee trends. Hyflex work policies are designed to support these modern employees, regardless of what flexible work schedule they use and which hybrid policies they most appreciate. When you implement a hyflex model at your organization you are communicating to your employees that you care about their needs and are committed to supporting them, no matter their individual requirements.
Hyflex policies allow employees to:
On the opposite side of the coin, they allow employers to:
Depending on the policies you choose to incorporate into your workplace culture, it could require you to reorganize or reconstruct your office spaces. To be sure you are prepared to support your employees as they return to work, check out our guide to Outfitting your Office to Support the Return to Work.
Creating a hyflex work policy at your organization is more straightforward than it may seem. Let’s start with the good news. You already have access to your greatest resource during this process: your employees.
When implementing any change in your workplace, it is always a good idea to start by running it by your employees. After all, they are the ones who will be most affected by any new policy or change to the workplace environment. Additionally, the most effective and best received hyflex policies are those that have been specifically created to support your employee’s needs. No two modern employees have the same professional needs, so no two hyflex work policies should be composed of the same elements.
Before implementing any major changes, reach out to your employees, team leaders and department heads and have an open dialogue with them about what hyflex policies will best support them and their changing needs. The best hyflex policies support the company as a whole and every single individual employee. If you inadvertently neglect the needs of the individuals that make your company so unique and successful, then you run the risk of missing out on some valuable information that you can use to optimize the workplace for everyone.
For example, if you forget to address communication expectations and time zone considerations in your policy, your sole team member working from the opposite coast might come to you after they’ve been asked to join meetings at 6 am their time one too many times. At that point, they may be too burned out to consider sticking around and seek out another employer.
Considerations for Updating Your Remote, Flexible or Hyflex Work Policy
Make sure to consult with your legal team, human resources team and leadership team before finalizing your policy. Policies are living documents, so review your policy regularly to make sure it stays current and continues to support your employees, not hold them back.
After you’ve made yourself available to your employee’s needs, you can begin implementing hyflex work policies at your organization. Remember, not all hyflex policies are made up of the same ideas and protocols. Instead, they are a culmination of flexible workspaces, flexible schedules and hybrid policies.
When choosing which factors to include in your policy, keep these top hyflex policies in mind:
As long as our employees continue to evolve with the changing industry tides, so too will the policies we construct to support them. To ensure you are fully prepared for the hyflex future, here is our guide for employees and employers on How to Win at Remote and Flexible Work.