It is shocking how many organizations are signaling a call back to the office, either full-time or a mandated number of days per week. A recent survey by Unispace discovered a whopping 72% of employers surveyed are taking this approach. And an additional 20% of employers have not explicitly mandated a policy, but strongly recommend a return to the workplace. For Thomas & Company the adoption of a hybrid workforce model was seamless and a natural progression, resulting in thriving employees, increased engagement, and a transformed culture.
At the heart of our success lies a solid foundation built on purpose and values. By defining and nurturing these values, we have created a framework that guides decision-making and fosters a positive work culture. Furthermore, we have prioritized the following factors:
- Embracing Technology: We recognized the power of technology in facilitating seamless communication and collaboration. By adopting tech platforms, such as Litmos, Leapsome, and Zoom. Litmos is our learning management software used for professional development. Leapsome is our go to for feedback, recognition, meeting agendas and reviews. We utilize the chat and video conferencing features in Zoom. These combined technologies have ensured an effective remote work operations and employee engagement for Thomas & Company.
- Microcultures: Acknowledging the diverse needs and preferences of employees, we believe that by offering a combination of a four-day work week, custom daily work hours, and supporting microcultures, we can foster an environment where our employees thrive both personally and professionally. This approach allowed for customized work arrangements that catered to individual work styles and personal circumstances, promoting work-life balance.
- Relationship Equity: Thomas & Company invested in training managers to build strong relationships with their teams. By focusing on building trust, communication, and support, managers played a crucial role in fostering a supportive work environment and facilitating work-life integration.
- Career Paths: The emphasis on career paths has shifted from traditional models centered around physical presence to a results-oriented approach. By outlining growth opportunities and offering professional development programs, employees were empowered to advance in their careers while maintaining work-life balance.
Our dedication to work-life flexibility and employee well-being resulted in well-deserved recognition. Thomas & Company was honored with the National Top Workplaces for Work-Life Flexibility award, acknowledging our commitment to creating a culture that enables employees to excel both personally and professionally.
Thomas & Company’s success story demonstrates the value of embracing work-life flexibility in today’s evolving work landscape. By establishing a solid foundation built on purpose and values, prioritizing career paths and professional development, leveraging technology, nurturing microcultures, and promoting relationship equity, we have achieved high employee engagement and productivity. Recognitions like the Top Workplaces for Work-Life Flexibility award reaffirm the importance of fostering a supportive and flexible work environment to achieve work-life flexibility and pave the way for a more engaged and satisfied workforce, irrespective of their work location.
