Deskless workforce | Flexible working isn't a perk, it's essential - 3 simple ways to boost flex for your shopfloor

Three years post-pandemic, and the popularity of flexible working among office-based workers remains. Yet many deskless staff still struggle to obtain any ‘give and take’ from their employers over their working patterns – and just because they’re required to be physically present shouldn’t mean flexibility becomes a complete no-go.

Here are three ways to boost flex for your shopfloor, creating a happier, more productive workforce at the same time.

1. Consider switching to shifts

If everyone’s currently working the same schedule, switching to shift patterns instead can provide an instant increase in flexibility, allowing staff to pick workdays and times that best suit them. Depending on the size of organisation, you may choose to gauge opinion on preferred working patterns first – via a staff pulse survey or suggestions box – to keep morale high and ensure staff feel that their opinions matter.

If shifts are implemented, think about how to offer flexibility around shift choices, without impacting business output – giving workers the chance to change shift after an agreed period of time, for example, and/or making it easy for them to request and implement occasional shift swaps when they need to, to honour family commitments or for other personal issues.