Employer of Choice E2: Flexibility

• Host and Guests: Tom Parks, Director of Retirement Plan Services, is joined by Lori Malett and Eric Becher from Hatch Staffing to discuss workplace flexibility.
• The conversation moves from compensation (previous episode) to flexibility as a key factor in becoming an employer of choice.
• Varied Flexibility Needs: Different job types (e.g., office vs. manufacturing) require tailored flexibility approaches since some roles can’t easily step away from tasks.
• Post-Pandemic Changes: Lori highlights how flexibility has evolved since the pandemic, forcing employers to adapt work schedules.
• Manufacturing Flexibility Examples: 
  • Four-day work weeks, compressed schedules, or 7-days-on/7-days-off models to give employees more family time.
  • Involves production planning teams to ensure fairness between office and floor staff.
• Balancing Flexibility Within a Company: 
  • Flexibility varies by role (office vs. production floor), which can create tension if not structured carefully.
  • Eric emphasizes tying flexibility to results and metrics to avoid issues—design programs where employees meet goals to earn flexibility.
• Avoiding Entitlement: 
  • At Hatch Staffing (May 2022), flexibility was introduced with clear communication and expectations to prevent it from becoming an entitlement.
  • Employers must work backward from required results to build flexibility that fits each role.
• Adjusting Post-Pandemic Oversights: 
  • Some employers overshot flexibility offerings and now need to adjust.
  • Suggestions: consistent communication (not one-time), transparency in performance metrics, written flexible program guidelines, and quarterly team reviews to refine the approach.
• Personal Accommodations: 
  • Flexibility includes accommodating personal needs (e.g., dentist appointments, kids’ games) with a give-and-take approach—employees finish work later if needed.
  • Moves away from rigid 8-to-6 schedules toward integrating work and life.
• Team Collaboration: 
  • In roles requiring presence (e.g., front desk, machine operation), teams must coordinate coverage.
  • Manufacturing offers more schedule options (e.g., shift preferences) rather than spontaneous coverage.
• Flexibility as Non-Negotiable: Regardless of industry, flexibility is essential to being an employer of choice—it’s about how it’s implemented.
• Key Takeaways for Employers: 
  • Avoid traditionalist thinking; involve teams to brainstorm flexible options while prioritizing company goals.
  • Have a clear, adaptable plan for flexibility tied to performance.
  • Communicate consistently, repeating expectations to reinforce the approach.
• Tom’s Reflection: He values results over rigid schedules but realizes he may need to reinforce his flexibility mantra with his team regularly.
• Closing: The discussion emphasizes flexibility as a critical, adaptable perk to attract and retain talent, balanced with clear communication and results.

Disclaimer: The podcast is for educational/entertainment purposes, provided by Annex Wealth Management LLC, and not intended as specific tax, legal, or investment advice.