First published on Conference & Incentive Travel magazine website October 2018
Expensive childcare and commuting costs; the stress of not being seen to be late to arrive or early to leave; empty hours spent at your desk when the urgent event prep is over but your contracted hours aren’t: as the outside world uses technology to make lives easier, isn’t it time our jobs did the same?
Contrary to popular belief, flexible (or fluid) working isn’t just about parents. It’s about giving everyone the opportunity to be more in control of their working hours and practices. The 9-5 five day working week simply doesn’t work for most anymore.
In fact, the UK’s Trade Union Council (TUC) has recently called for a four day maximum working week as part of its report into how changes to the current and future workplace can best benefit workers. A four day work week trial in a New Zealand firm found that teamwork and work
engagement increased whilst stress decreased.
And so it is that the largest fast food chain in the world is partnering with Anna Whitehouse of Mother Pukka on her ‘Flex Appeal’ to offer ‘Let’s Talk About Flex’ sessions in selected restaurants. Partnering with MacDonalds, the CIPD and workingmums.co.uk, these sessions give anyone keen to work flexibly expert advice on how to go about asking for a change in their contract so their job works harder for them and they work harder in return.
There are many benefits to fluid working. For employees: the chance to start or leave the office at times that suit their lives and yes, avoid expensive after hours childcare or commuting costs; feeling valued for the job you do rather than the hours you put in and being able to work remotely when desired. And for employers: a happy, productive workforce who feel trusted; work smart not hard and the knowledge that they will most likely stay with you for years to come.
All of these factors add up to less stress and an easier toll on your mental health. Whether already suffering from poor mental health which your job exacerbates or the demands of the job making workers anxious and depressed, there’s no denying fluid working is better than the outdated model so many of us work to. Not everyone works well in the typical hierarchical structure either, with constant pressure from managers, colleagues and clients causing stress but not having the opportunity to let it go.
This is where fluid working comes in a step beyond flexible working, it utilises technology to give further options to employees. A smart phone, laptop and strong wifi are really all that is needed in the world of work these days (assuming the majority of your event planning is based online) and remote working allows employees the chance to work in an environment which best suits them. A cafe, the sofa or a home office are no obstacle to getting the job done. When employees have this option they often get projects completed quicker and have higher morale: a happy worker is more productive, more creative and has higher economic potential. To steal from Ronald McDonald himself: fluid working… we’re lovin’ it.
