Company wants ideas on how to implement Flexi Working

[richatnort]

Just thought i'd get some thoughts from people about ideas I could put forward to a working group looking at what flexible working should look like post Covid. Some context being it's a big tech company based in West Yorkshire who have a new office that doesn't house everyone if say everyone came into the office at once. We have been working remotely for a year now (happy anniversary I guess) and they want some ideas on what they could do to help implement a flexible working policy & ways of working. The idea being that I would only have to go into the office (mandatory) 1-2 days a month. My ideas are:

Contributions towards gas, electric, broadband no matter your salary
web cams for everyone so they can be on camera in meetings (found I get a lot more engagement from my team when we do this)
managers able to expense travel to cafe's half way between manager people reporting into them to not have to go into the office for 121s
Interactive whiteboards at work to help with meetings and drawing stuff
New starters to spend a week minimum in the office to get to know everyone
X amount of money towards equipment for home working.

Would you add anything to this that you've experienced from working remotely all year too?

[richatnort]

Carbon Sasquatch said:

When everyone is at home, it's a leveller - the challenge will be when most of the team are in the office & just a few at home. I'd suggest anything that can prevent exclusion of those at home. All meetings via video etc.

Yes not a bad shout to be fair! I am very lucky / unlucky in my team that I have people based in London, Birmingham, Newcastle & Leeds so everything has to be done by video call anyone.

[richatnort]

Thanks for suggestions so far, thankfully desks and chairs are sent out to people who start too.

As for web cams yes I don't think i'd say you have to have it on but the zoom backgrounds help to filter out peoples backgrounds well.

Whats good to see is what's been suggested so far is what we're looking at implementing so that's good!

[richatnort]

klan8456 said:

This sounds like a wish list.

I’d expect in reality:

• salary cut if you live in a lower cost location
• no contribution towards expenses
• you’re lucky to have a job at all, so don’t complain about the above

Why only 1 day a month in the office though instead of a 50/50 type rotation?

Broadband - its 2021 and you already have it anyway
Gas - put warmer clothes on. Cold air is dense and better for cognitive function
Electricity - I can understand this, but the admin cost is likely higher than any benefit you’d get

Edited by klan8456 on Friday 5th March 20:31

Jesus Christ lad where have you even come from? The caves?

Maybe you need to find a new profession as everything mentioned is very easy to achieve.