How
Common concerns and how to deal with them
8. The team won't accept a manager working flexibly.
This is one of the major challenges for flexible work practices. A common view is that it is not possible for managers to work flexibly.
Managers find that they have to modify both their own work practices and expectations as well as how they manage and supervise those who report to them. A key to achieving effective outcomes is to focus on developing teamwork and knowledge-sharing amongst people who report to the manager. Some helpful hints are listed below:
- Ensure that all staff know each other and understand their roles, their background and experience, their times of work etc.
- Have regular team meetings where all staff can attend.
- Develop a buddy system with people being paired who work at different times. The intention here is that they have joint responsibility for communicating and sharing information on an informal basis.
- Develop a change-over system, with people developing logs of work for you.
- Establish standard practices for communicating essential information (eg email, log books, voice mail).
- Determine criteria around communication when you are not available and an urgent work issue arises.
- In a customer service situation, ensure that you keep excellent records of interactions and commitments made to customers. This will reduce the need to contact people who are not available.
- Encourage informal communication where possible (eg occasional team lunches).
< Back