Selling one day of WFH as 'flexibility' isn't cutting it anymore
Remote work was widely embraced during the pandemic era. However, as restrictions became a thing of the past, employers increasingly backed away from operating remotely. Instead, ‘hybrid’ and ‘flexible’ working popped up – but with emerging skills shortages and tough competition for talent, these programs just aren’t as attractive as they used to be.
Safeguard Global is a company that recently embraced ‘Work in Any Way’ (WIAW). According to Carolina Maniuc, Global HR Director at Safeguard Global, this approach is “particularly compelling” for Millennial and Gen Z employees who place a high value on flexibility, work-life balance and personal freedom.
“By adopting a remote-first strategy, companies can stay ahead in the evolving work environment, ensuring they remain competitive and attractive to top talent,” Maniuc tells HRD.
“Millennials and Gen Z, in particular are not just looking for a job—they are looking for a workplace that aligns with their values. This includes the ability to work flexibly, pursue personal interests, and maintain a strong work-life balance.”
Why implement WIAW?
While a WIAW model brings many benefits, implementing it can be daunting. However, it all starts with asking some simple questions – Does the current way of working attract key talent, or push them away? Where are the people with the qualifications and experience that your organization needs? What are they looking for in an employer?
For Safeguard Global, Maniuc notes that talent acquisition has undoubtedly one of the biggest advantages of WIAW.
“This model significantly helps in identifying the most suitable talents for advertised roles because we are not limited to a specific location or country,” Maniuc says. “We search globally, focusing on the skills, knowledge, and behavior that best fit the roles.”
The WIAW model has also boosted engagement, productivity and innovation. Safeguard Global saw a faster product time to market after embracing remote work – and from a cost perspective, not having physical offices to maintain has allowed for substantial savings.
When it comes to implementing WIAW well, the key is to ensure that goals are well-defined and communicated. Once this happens, location and working hours of employees become less important. As long as tasks are completed on time and meet expectations, employees can work at their own pace and in the comfort of their chosen environment.
Sharing insights
Fresh off of its successful WIAW implementation, Safeguard Global is hosting a webinar that will take a deeper dive into the Work in Any Way model.
The webinar, titled Remote work is over. Work in any way is the future! will offer practical insights on how to boost employee engagement, optimize costs, and create a flexible work environment that aligns with the expectations of today’s workforce. Attendees will hear about the concept of WIAW from Safeguard Global, and discover how it can enhance talent attraction, retention and satisfaction.
“The time to adapt is now,” Maniuc says. “Embracing WIAW is not just a strategy; it’s a necessity for thriving in the future of work.”
The webinar will take place on 25 September at 3pm AEST. To find out more and to register, click here.
