Flexibility and employee engagement can go hand in hand in the workplace
By Eamon O’Doherty, Enterprise Director, EMEA at Logitech
The world around us is changing, and along with it are our expectations and priorities in the workplace. As the dynamics of work transform, there has been a change in what employees expect from their employers.
Instead of moulding their lives around their jobs, employees now want roles that accommodate their personal lives and commitments outside of work. Employees are now consistently seeking employers that share these values and prioritise their well-being – and can disengage if these needs aren’t met.
The newest generation in the workforce – Gen Z – is particularly subject to these new expectations. Although the way they approach work may seem more lenient than previous generations, Gen Z’s focus on well-being and flexibility must not be ignored by employers. This generation is known for their passion to make a meaningful impact in the world, and this spans into the working world too. They also prioritise flexible working over salary when choosing where to work – and in this approach are leading the way towards positive change for everyone.
Technology can play a significant role in meeting these expectations and fostering an enthusiastic and motivated workforce across all generations.
Designing home workspaces with well-being in mind
Workplace stress has been a long-standing issue, though past approaches have primarily centred around providing support to deal with stress once it’s being experienced, rather than taking preventative measures. Fortunately, there is now a wide array of tools available to alleviate the stress of workers feeling overburdened by work in a suboptimal workspace environment.
According to a Harvard study, a massive 78% of employees feel that natural light enhances their well-being, and another 70% report that it has a positive impact on their work performance. However, those who work from home – especially those in flat shares (often younger employees) – can find themselves working in any available space- even if it’s away from or in the wrong direction to a natural light source. These lighting issues can not only negatively affect well-being but can also reduce image quality on video calls. Clear visibility is crucial for effective collaboration, and therefore, engagement among employees.
To address this challenge, employers should provide their hybrid workers with advanced webcams that have effective light correction features and high-quality image correction. This will ensure that employees are clearly visible during video calls, regardless of their home working situation. The benefits to mood and motivation can be achieved without having to compromise effective hybrid working.
Additionally, when employees have to work wherever there is space, they may end up in cramped and uncomfortable setups. By providing ergonomic mice and keyboards, employers can make a significant difference in these issues: preventing the risk of RSI injuries, reducing strain, and promoting overall comfort.
Implementing these small adjustments is just one of the many ways to foster a healthy and engaging work environment. It’s a win-win situation for both employees and employers, as good well-being measures ensure happy, comfortable, and productive workers.
Promoting inclusion in the hybrid workforce
Hybrid working is now the norm, with a recent survey finding that around 40% of working adults work from home at some point in their week. It goes without saying that employees should be completely engaged and included as part of the team, irrespective of their work location. This is particularly important for Gen Z, who have likely only been in the working world since a hybrid model was introduced and may not feel fully integrated into the workforce.
To ensure meetings are equitable and all employees are engaged, no matter where they are working, companies must now adopt high-quality video collaboration tools to bridge the gap between in-office and remote workers. There are a number of innovations which can help with this, such as tabletop conferencing cameras, which ensure everyone is seen equally during virtual meetings. These cameras, when positioned alongside traditional front-of-room cameras, are able to clearly show the faces of those in the room – allowing remote workers to catch the nuances of facial expressions as if they were across the table.
In addition, the use of whiteboard cameras can enhance interactivity and engagement during meetings, allowing teams to collaborate in real time and effortlessly share analogue content. By using these tools, companies can create an environment where all team members, regardless of their location, can actively participate and contribute.
Nurturing an engaged workforce by listening to Gen Z
We should all support Gen Z’s dedication to cultivating a positive, healthy, and engaged workplace, and technology can assist us in fostering such an environment. Embracing a fresh approach, which Gen Z brings forth, is crucial is building an inclusive culture. By meeting employees’ expectations with new measures, such as providing a stress-reducing home workspace kit and ensuring hybrid inclusion, employers can create a workforce that is happy, engaged and feels valued.
Uma Rajagopal has been managing the posting of content for multiple platforms since 2021, including Global Banking & Finance Review, Asset Digest, Biz Dispatch, Blockchain Tribune, Business Express, Brands Journal, Companies Digest, Economy Standard, Entrepreneur Tribune, Finance Digest, Fintech Herald, Global Islamic Finance Magazine, International Releases, Online World News, Luxury Adviser, Palmbay Herald, Startup Observer, Technology Dispatch, Trading Herald, and Wealth Tribune. Her role ensures that content is published accurately and efficiently across these diverse publications.