I love the option of flexible working and have been privileged to enjoy it for most of my working career. To be honest, I’ve always taken it for granted, but not until expectations around return to the office following the pandemic created a bit of a rebellion, did I fully grasp how foreign it was for many folks.
It was like a lightbulb was turned on. Individuals saw, and experienced, the possibilities, desirability, and indeed benefits to the idea of work arrangements that afforded more control of the when (time) and where (location) of how their work got done. The configurations of such opportunities have taken many forms such as:
Fully remote working
Job sharing
Hybrid working
Compressed work week
Flex hours within the work day
However, when flexible work options are offered providing certain freedom and opportunity for the individual, it comes with a great deal of responsibility. No matter what option is chosen, there is an obligation to make sure the arrangement works for all involved…the individual, others on their team, and the organization. To be sure, the organization must step up to provide the necessary support and resources for success, but employees need to do their part as well. An article in Forbes called this responsibility ‘workership’.
What might workership look like? Great question. I decided to test Chat GPT on this one…here’s a summary of what it offered:
1. Communication: Maintain open and proactive communication with supervisors and team members. Keep them informed of your availability, work progress, and any potential changes in your schedule.
2. Adherence to policies: Follow the company's flexible work policies and guidelines, including agreed-upon working hours, attendance expectations, and remote work protocols.
3. Delivering results: Fulfill work responsibilities and meet deadlines consistently. Flexible work is
based on trust, and delivering high-quality work is crucial to maintaining that trust.
4. Time management: Effectively manage your time to complete tasks efficiently within the agreed-upon work hours or deadlines.
5. Technology readiness: Ensure you have access to the necessary technological resources and infrastructure required for remote work, such as a reliable internet connection and appropriate software.
6. Data security: Follow the organization's data security protocols to safeguard sensitive information and prevent breaches while working remotely.
7. Work-life balance: Strive to maintain a healthy work-life balance and set boundaries to avoid burnout or overworking.
8. Accountability: Take ownership of your work and actions, and be accountable for the outcomes of your tasks.
9. Collaboration and teamwork: Engage in virtual collaboration, participate in team meetings, and actively contribute to team projects, even in remote settings.
10. Flexibility and adaptability: Be willing to adapt to changing circumstances or work requirements, as flexible work arrangements may evolve based on business needs.
11. Reporting concerns: If any issues arise with the flexible work arrangement, communicate them to HR or management promptly to find solutions collaboratively.
From both my research and years of experience, demonstrating this kind of workership can make the difference between a successful flex arrangement, or a disaster!
What are some of the key steps you have taken to demonstrate workership?
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