ENABLING MOBILE WORK An Employer’s Guide in the New Economy About Employer Alliance Employer Alliance is a network of over 1,400 member companies committed to creating an enabling environment to enhance Work-Life integration. It is a necessary business imperative to stay competitive and gives organisations a significant edge in talent attraction, retention and productivity. Employer Alliance offers resources on Work-Life matters including an online Work-Life Tool Kit, research and case studies. Membership is free and members are invited to Work-Life events to network with other like-minded companies. They also receive regular updates regarding the latest news and trends in Work-Life matters. CO NTENT S Foreword 02 Message 03 The Business Case for Mobile Work 04 What is Mobile Work? 06 Office Arrangements for the Mobile Workforce 08 The New World of Work 12 Vincent Wong, Director Small, Medium Solutions & Partners Group Microsoft Singapore Enabling Mobile Work through an Effective Change Management Strategy 16 Jacqueline Gwee, Director aAdvantage Consulting Guidelines for Supervisors Managing a Flexible Workforce 19 Ken Leong, Director 361 Degree Consultancy Preparing Employees for Mobile Work 22 Sher-Li Torrey, Founder Mums@Work Working Better with Job Redesign 27 Amy BC Tan, Partner & Diana Yeo, Director Centre for Organisational Effectiveness Case Studies Public Service Division 30 32 34 36 Acknowledgements 38 SP Services Bizlink Singapore IBM Singapore ENABLING MOBILE WORK – AN EMPLOYER’S GUIDE IN THE NEW ECONOMY 01 Foreword WORK-LIFE harmony is a reality – Singapore does have companies that believe in helping its employees achieve Work-Life harmony. Not only that, they have proven that flexible work arrangements can be very sustainable. The Employer Alliance has shown us four excellent case studies. The Work-Life Works! (WoW!) fund that MOM provides has about 860 companies tapping on it to provide flexible work arrangements since 2004. In fact, every two years, we celebrate the outstanding achievements of companies that promote Work-Life harmony through our Work-Life Excellence Awards. Work-Life harmony – I encourage more companies to join us in this journey. These are part of efforts to grow a positive Work-Life culture in Singapore, so that we have Singapore employers who value Work-Life initiatives for their benefits to business performance and the positive impact they have on employees, where business leaders are role models themselves, where employees are confident and responsible in taking up flexible work arrangements when they need to, and where colleagues are understanding and supportive. This is the Singapore Work-Life ecosystem we want to strive towards. Today, we have greater access to technology that supports flexible work arrangements. For instance, many of us use smart phones, laptops, tablets, etc. As the range of such technological support grows over the years, it has also made it easier for companies to support flexible work arrangements. In 2012, MOM’s Conditions of Employment Survey reported that 41% of the establishments surveyed offered at least one type of flexible work arrangement, up from 25% in 2007. I believe there are more companies who will join this growing existing group in offering flexible working arrangements – a Robert Half Survey in October 2012 highlighted that almost 9 in 10 employers were open to flexible work arrangements. We have early adopters of flexible work arrangements that have already shown the way to Work-Life harmony – I encourage more companies to join us in this journey. For companies new to flexible work arrangements, this book provides useful tips and best practices on implementing mobile work arrangements, and will definitely benefit employers, HR practitioners and supervisors in their Work-Life journey. I commend the Employer Alliance for putting together this publication as well as its continued efforts in promoting flexible work arrangements and fostering more Work-Life friendly workplaces in Singapore. MR HAWAZI DAIPI Chairman Tripartite Committee on Work-Life Strategy Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Manpower and Education 02 ENABLING MOBILE WORK – AN EMPLOYER’S GUIDE IN THE NEW ECONOMY Message INTERNET and the use of mobile devices for both business and personal use have become a part of our lives. In Singapore, there are over 6 million 3G mobile subscriptions, and about 86% of individuals surveyed have at least one computer at home while over 85% of households have broadband internet access. This availability and accessibility of technology in both the workplace and the home enables individuals to have greater flexibility over their time and the location of work. With technology ... employees can now enjoy flexibility at their fingertips. Employees can now enjoy flexibility at their fingertips – with technology they can manage their time better by integrating work responsibilities with personal and family needs. This age of connectivity is an opportune time for us to visualise how we can capitalise on mobile options and redefine the way employees will deliver business results in the future while respecting the individual’s needs for family or personal time. As senior leaders and HR practitioners, we have an important role to play in the sustainable implementation of mobile work so as to benefit both the business and the individual. Firstly, we need to cultivate a workplace that values the individual’s performance rather than their physical presence; secondly, we must respect the individual and develop trust through good management practices; and thirdly, we should encourage open communication between supervisors and employees, co-workers and customers. I would like to thank our contributors for sharing their invaluable insights and experiences in mobile work and I hope that this publication will guide you in using mobile work meaningfully within your organisations. MS CLAIRE CHIANG Chairperson Employer Alliance ENABLING MOBILE WORK – AN EMPLOYER’S GUIDE IN THE NEW ECONOMY 03 THE BUSINESS CASE for Mobile Work SMEs in Singapore constantly grapple with how to boost productivity and increase client responsiveness in an attempt to scale up organisational growth. Mobile working arrangements can be pivotal in achieving this goal. Research done in the UK and the US suggests that mobile work options can significantly raise employee productivity and efficiency. As employees exercise greater autonomy in where, how and when they work, organisations will experience: • Increased productivity as employees take ownership of job tasks with a proactive mindset. • Increased client responsiveness across time zones as employees are highly mobile and able to communicate easily and efficiently outside normal office hours. • Increased client satisfaction as service providers are able to meet and exceed expectations. • Higher retention rates as employees experience better Work-Life integration. • Lower costs associated with recruitment and training new employees. • Lower overhead costs as employees work remotely rather than congregating in a single location. • Greater ease of hiring and ability to tap on a wider talent pool as potential staff are drawn to the flexibility and Work-Life integration initiatives offered. 04 ENABLING MOBILE WORK – AN EMPLOYER’S GUIDE IN THE NEW ECONOMY Organisations in Singapore that want to remain competitive and relevant in today’s digital workplace can leverage available technology and consider mobile work options. [ Research has shown that telecommuting employees spend more time working effectively due to their time savings. [ ENABLING MOBILE WORK – AN EMPLOYER’S GUIDE IN THE NEW ECONOMY 05 WHAT IS Mobile Work? Mobile working arrangements refer to alternative work options that allow employees to work remotely – away from the traditional office setting. Employees may work from various locations including home, shared workspaces and other venues. Savvy employers often offer mobile working arrangements as a means to maximise employee efficiency. When working remotely, employees are likely to fully utilise their working hours on meaningful tasks, by cutting down on time that would be spent commuting to and from the office. These employees make heavy use of communication tools such as internet-enabled laptops and smartphones to keep in constant contact with supervisors, clients and colleagues, throughout the work day. The Different Types of Mobile Working Arrangements Mobile working arrangements can be divided into 3 main categories: 06 Home-Based Work Telecommuting Work-Shifting In a home-based work arrangement, an employee works mainly from home. The employee would have a specific workspace or home office created for this purpose, where he can work uninterrupted during the designated work hours. Telecommuting is an increasingly popular mobile working arrangement in Singapore that allows employees to work from virtually anywhere. Employees work ‘on-the-go’, finding areas that can temporarily serve as a workspace, usually in between appointments and meetings, rather than coming into the office daily. Employees who practice workshifting usually work from a specific external venue for an extended period. Some of these employees may choose to work from a shared workspace. Others who travel overseas extensively may even opt to work from their hotel rooms for the period of their travel. ENABLING MOBILE WORK – AN EMPLOYER’S GUIDE IN THE NEW ECONOMY Mobile working arrangements may be offered to employees on a full-time or occasional basis. Employees who are on a full-time mobile working arrangement will have opted to do so consistently for an extended period of time. For example, an employee who has to care for an elderly parent may work from home on a full-time basis for the entire period of his employment. Employees may also use the mobile work option on an ad-hoc basis as the need arises. For example, an employee from the marketing department may opt to telecommute for the entire week as he has multiple meetings with customers and suppliers, and it would be more efficient for him to work remotely rather than spend time travelling back to the office after every meeting. ENABLING MOBILE WORK – AN EMPLOYER’S GUIDE IN THE NEW ECONOMY 07 OFFICE ARRANGEMENTS for the Mobile Workforce There are several types of workspaces that mobile workers can utilise depending on their specific work arrangement. For optimal flexibility, most mobile workers will maintain a workspace at home as well as use an external venue when they are on the go. Home Office This is a designated workspace within the employee’s home which is fully equipped with the necessary infrastructure and tools to work efficiently. This would include a work desk, laptop or desktop computer and a broadband internet connection. Home Office: Best Practices • Clearly define the employee’s work targets so that work and family expectations are managed. • Set up a communication system for the employee to stay connected to the workplace, such as tele-conferencing or web-conferencing for meetings. • Employees with care-giving responsibilities should make alternative day-care arrangements during their work hours. • The home office should be situated in a quiet place, clearly delineated from the main living areas of the home. • Schedule face-time with employees who work predominantly from home. This can take the form of informal chit chat sessions, appraisals or weekly team meetings. • The employer may reimburse work-related costs including phone and internet bills. 08 ENABLING MOBILE WORK – AN EMPLOYER’S GUIDE IN THE NEW ECONOMY Hot Desking In this workspace sharing arrangement, employees are not assigned to a specific desk in the office. Instead, all desks are uniformly equipped with the hardware and software required for work. Employees can seamlessly work from different workspaces on different days without delays and disruptions to their work. By providing a designated hot desking area and encouraging employees to work remotely, organisations may significantly reduce their overhead costs. The office layout can also be efficiently designed, with fixed desks provided only for staff who are required full-time in the office. Hot Desking: Best Practices • Ensure that employees leave the hot desking area free of personal items such as work documents when they leave for the day. • Provide ample storage space in the form of lockers and drawer units for individuals and shelving units for teams/departments. • Provide essential information at each desk such as office phone extension numbers, computer login instructions, etc. • Equip all hot desk stations with phone and internet access points to ensure quick and uniform accessibility. • Provide employees with laptops to ensure maximum mobility. Hoteling Hoteling is a shared workspace model similar to hot desking. However, in this office arrangement, employees need to reserve the workspace and other resources ahead of time via a central booking system. Hoteling: Best Practices • Invest in a computerised reservation system to save time and reduce human error when making reservations. • Ensure that each employee has a specific e-mail address, contact number and voicemail. • Conduct regular checks to ensure that employees are using the reserved resources. • Educate employees on how to use the hoteling system for maximum efficiency. • Reward employees who use the hoteling system appropriately. ENABLING MOBILE WORK – AN EMPLOYER’S GUIDE IN THE NEW ECONOMY 09 Smart Work Centre A smart work centre is an office space located away from the main office, and typically found closer to residential areas to cut down on commuting time. This location may belong to the organisation, or more commonly, the company may rent the premises from an external provider who will equip the workspace with all the necessary office tools and infrastructure, where employees can plug in, log on and work. This office arrangement can be basic or complex, depending on the company’s needs. In a simple set up, the workspace may be equipped with office equipment such as desks, phones and internet connectivity. A more elaborate centre may function as a branch of the main office. Smart work centres are useful when organisations want to offer employees flexibility while maintaining a high level of staff visibility. This work arrangement is also ideal for mature workers and back-to-work mothers who want to be gainfully employed, but prefer a shorter commute. Smart Work Centres: Best Practices • Identify job roles that can be efficiently performed at smart work centres; this is the first step in gauging if you have sufficient employees to deploy to a smart work centre. • Choose a smart work centre that is close to a residential area or in an easily accessible location, to make it attractive for employees to use. • Ensure the smart work centre has scalable options that will allow you to ramp operations up or down as needed. 10 ENABLING MOBILE WORK – AN EMPLOYER’S GUIDE IN THE NEW ECONOMY Virtual Office A virtual office is a budget-friendly alternative to a conventional physical office space. In this office arrangement, employees are given the autonomy to work from anywhere they want, retrieve information and connect with clients and colleagues via the internet. The company may engage a virtual office service which will provide a business mailing address, e-mail address, fax number and other tools to maintain a professional image. Some providers offer additional options such as workspaces and meeting rooms for rent. With the low costs involved, virtual offices are especially popular among start-ups and small SMEs. Virtual Office: Best Practices • In order to manage employees ‘virtually’, employers should clearly stipulate work expectations such as start and end hours, as well as when and how the employee should be contactable. • Employees should identify main workspaces to provide structure to their workday and raise efficiency. • A reliable virtual office service provider should be engaged to ensure maximum connectivity; mailing and e-mail addresses need to be valid and working at all times. ENABLING MOBILE WORK – AN EMPLOYER’S GUIDE IN THE NEW ECONOMY 11 THE NEW WORLD of Work Vincent Wong, Director Small, Medium Solutions & Partners Group Microsoft Singapore In recent years, Singapore’s labour shortage has made it necessary for business leaders to shift their focus towards managing a diverse workforce and learning how technology can be used to bridge the productivity gap. Singapore companies face four pressing challenges: • A difficult economic climate that is anticipated in the near future. • A knowledge gap within the organisation. One possible cause is high staff turnover or the formation of teams to tackle a project, which are subsequently disbanded. This often results in the loss of accumulated knowledge for the company. • A change in work-style patterns. Employees require increased mobility as they need to be close to customers and colleagues. Additionally, many working adults need flexibility to manage their Work-Life priorities. • The use of personal IT devices for work, which creates a challenge for employers who need to provide reliable yet secure access to sensitive company data from anywhere, on any device. The New World of Work is a response to these issues, based on three key pillars - People, Technology and Place. People The ‘People’ pillar reflects the fact that organisations and workers need to be flexible to achieve mobility, better Work-Life integration and to accommodate personal work styles. In the modern economy, organisations need to be customer-oriented and empower employees to meet customer expectations efficiently. Therefore workers need to be able to work remotely; whether in airports, client sites or from home. In addition, workers need to be collaborative, creating a work structure defined by the skills of each person rather than traditional hierarchy. This will make organisations more resilient, able to withstand economic shocks and most importantly, enable their people to realise their full potential. The scalability of this work model also allows companies to expand rapidly when opportunities arise. 12 ENABLING MOBILE WORK – AN EMPLOYER’S GUIDE IN THE NEW ECONOMY In a Microsoft survey, more than one-third of its employees had worked from a home office, a café or in another organisation’s office. One quarter of the employees had worked during their commute. Every individual has a unique work-style, a set of preferences for where, how and when to work. Some of this is driven by demographics and increasing demand for Work-Life integration. The reality of these statistics underpins the employee retention strategies of many businesses: • In 2009, an Oxford University study showed that 72% of 1,000 workers polled would be encouraged to remain in the workforce for as long as possible in their senior years – if given lesser hours and more flexible work. • In some countries, companies are putting programmes in place to encourage women to remain in the workforce, since so many feel that they have to leave the workforce at a point where their productivity and potential reward are at their highest. Today’s workforce is characterised by interconnectivity and the emergence of “digital natives” – a new generation of employees who are comfortable holding discussions and collaborating in a virtual environment through e-mail, instant messaging and other devices. Organisations also need to accommodate “digital immigrants” – the older employees who are less familiar with social media and mobile technology. These employees have the same need for flexibility and mobility, but require technology with a familiar and intuitive interface that is easy to access and use. ENABLING MOBILE WORK – AN EMPLOYER’S GUIDE IN THE NEW ECONOMY 13 Technology This new and innovative work environment needs to be supported by simple yet powerful enabling tools which include: • A powerful communication suite that allows people to communicate in the way that best suits them; whether by e-mail, videoconferencing, voice or instant messaging. • Enterprise applications such as Microsoft SharePoint that facilitate collaborative work between people who are located in different locations. • An IT environment that is tailored to the employee that is using it. • Supporting infrastructure, which allows users to access applications and data from any place and on any device, in a secure manner. This infrastructure could be based within the organisation’s premises, but is increasingly based on the Cloud platform. The business case for implementing such communications systems is well-proven. A recent report by Forrester examined the business case for implementing Microsoft Lync Server in a US corporation. As a result of replacing PBX phones, the company had direct savings by implementing web-based teleconferences, reduced IT and telephone labour costs, fewer calls to the helpdesk as well as increased productivity and a reduction in travel costs. The investment had paid for itself in less than 13 months and provided a 337% Return on Investment (ROI) over a 3-year period. Another transformative technology is Cloud computing where applications and data are hosted in secure data centres and can be accessed remotely on any device, in a secure manner. Cloud services can be hired on an as-needed basis, giving small businesses the ability to take advantage of applications and tools that might have been expensive in the past, while giving larger organisations the ability to compete with smaller, more nimble low cost companies. Cloud computing services also provide business continuity and disaster recovery. In the event of a systems failure, the company’s data is safely housed and backed up in a data centre, which contractually guarantees a high level of system reliability. Place The first two pillars, People and Technology, are driving changes in the third pillar, ‘Place’. In this evolved concept of the workplace, the office will no longer be the heart of the organisation – work becomes something a worker ‘does’ and not merely ‘where they go’. 14 ENABLING MOBILE WORK – AN EMPLOYER’S GUIDE IN THE NEW ECONOMY The office of the future will be designed to provide a task-oriented work environment which will enhance cross-group collaboration, productivity and satisfaction. Microsoft Singapore’s sales, marketing and regional headquarters has been designed as a Collaborative Work Space where employees do not have permanent desks and are encouraged to work in the environment that best suits their activity at any given time. Since the move, Microsoft Singapore office space has decreased by 16% but employees have seen a 54% increase in productivity. At least 49% of staff say they collaborate more while 77% prefer the new working environment to the old one. Conclusion The strategies and policies required for the New World of Work cannot be implemented overnight. A change in management culture, employees’ mindset as well as the enabling technology for success is required. By developing a work culture that encourages flexibility, mobility, collaboration and resilience, Singapore companies will be well-prepared to meet the challenges of increasing competition, rising customer expectations and a shortage of critical skills. ENABLING MOBILE WORK – AN EMPLOYER’S GUIDE IN THE NEW ECONOMY 15 ENABLING MOBILE WORK THROUGH AN Effective Change Management Strategy Jacqueline Gwee, Director aAdvantage Consulting When companies get creative in implementing workplace flexibility, an entire range of structured approaches to mobile work can happen – from working at customer sites to working from permanent off-site offices (e.g. home offices and smart work centres). In fact, one definition of mobile workers is that they work at least 10 hours per week away from their main office – on business trips, in the field, travelling or on customers’ premises, and use internet connectivity when doing so. Mobile and remote communications using broadband technology and voice, video and data services are set to increase in line with the global rise in mobile working. Businesses must adopt processes, structures, new resources and management practices which make mobile working effective if they are to benefit from increased productivity from mobile work. However, the benefits of a Mobile Work Programme may not be fully achieved when there is a failure to prepare those who will be working remotely and those who will be supervising these mobile workers. As we move towards mobile working arrangements for a wider range of job positions, the traditional modes and mindset of managing our workforce requires change – how do we manage staff who are not in the office? How do we know if they are really working? Preparing staff prior to embarking on the new work arrangement makes for a smooth transition and increases the likelihood of success. Deploying a Change Management Strategy and Plan is crucial to making the Mobile Work Programme a success, and should include the following: 1. Articulate the Business Case and Desired Outcomes Be clear and precise about the desired outcomes of the Mobile Work Programme. More specifically, employers should identify and articulate the potential benefits for the organisation and employee. This clarity is vital for buy-in. Common business outcomes include enhanced productivity, reduced business office costs, greater staff motivation and staff retention. Staff may enjoy less travel time, cost savings, greater flexibility and better Work-Life integration. 16 ENABLING MOBILE WORK – AN EMPLOYER’S GUIDE IN THE NEW ECONOMY 2. Communicate Performance Expectations Communicate the expected outcomes to all staff, especially those directly affected and those managing the staff. This is to ensure that staff, supervisors and management share a common vision and understand the benefits of mobile work options. Ideally, engagement sessions and communications should be tailored to address different issues by staff hierarchy or by function. This will ensure that the target audience is not overloaded or confused. For example, separate sessions are needed to address supervisors’ concerns on managing staff performance and staff concerns on dealing with new technology and how mobile work will affect their careers. Detailed communication on role expectations and protocol is critical: • Are mobile workers expected to inform supervisors of their start time? If so, how will it be done? • What is the protocol on staff accessibility for non-working days/days off? • Are there guidelines on the use of office equipment for personal use? • What are the guidelines on handling confidential information while working remotely? Each company should define the boundaries aligned to their organisational culture and existing policies. While not all protocols have to be strictly defined; the main intent and guiding principles have to be clear so that staff can implement them. A high level of openness and trust is required for this. ENABLING MOBILE WORK – AN EMPLOYER’S GUIDE IN THE NEW ECONOMY 17 3. Develop Competencies to Support Mobile Work Beyond equipping mobile workers with the technical knowledge and tools to achieve work goals, developing their competencies to support their mobile working arrangements is also important. A global study by Cisco Systems in 2007 (Understanding and Managing the Mobile Workforce), showed that efficient mobile workers demonstrated stronger planning and organisational skills, flexibility, adaptability and relationship building skills in comparison to their office-based colleagues. In contrast, they are less likely to need effective team working skills. This does not suggest that they work less effectively with colleagues, but rather that they work effectively on an independent basis. The implication is clear – in addition to selecting employees with these key competencies (for mobile work), organisations must also provide existing employees with opportunities to develop these critical mobile working competencies. 4. Equip Managers with Skills to Manage Mobile Workers Companies must first establish a performance management system based on outcomes and KPIs rather than mere ‘face time’ measures, e.g. on-time delivery of work output should outweigh punctuality. Managers who telecommute will need to adapt their work styles to cope with their own mobility while simultaneously managing others. These “Mobile Managers” must know when to be physically present, effectively coach and motivate the team and nurture loyalty towards the company. 5. Commit to Improve and Celebrate Success Leaders set the tone of the organisation’s culture. Thus, consistent communication and positive behaviours from leadership will create a pro-mobility culture, ensuring the sustainability and success of mobile work practices. Management can leverage existing engagement platforms or create new ones to communicate the progress of mobile working arrangements. Be candid in acknowledging gaps in the current work processes and invite employee feedback on how mobile working arrangements can be improved. Close the loop with staff on the action taken to demonstrate the organisation’s commitment to mobile work. Middle managers also need to play their part in creating a “mobile-work friendly” office environment. Managers can actively raise the profile of mobile work throughout the organisation by publicising achievements and feedback about new methods of working. Identifying and communicating “quick wins” early on in the programme will critically shape employees’ perceptions and attitudes towards mobile work. An effective change management plan will establish open channels of communication between staff and management and allow supervisors to identify these success stories. 18 ENABLING MOBILE WORK – AN EMPLOYER’S GUIDE IN THE NEW ECONOMY GUIDELINES FOR SUPERVISORS MANAGING a Flexible Workforce Ken Leong, Director 361 Degree Consultancy In today’s competitive labour environment and market conditions, maintaining a robust and flexible workforce is a must for businesses. Workplace flexibility contributes to better talent attraction and retention, higher productivity and ensures the operational readiness of a company, particularly in crisis situations. In order for mobile working arrangements to be truly effective and sustainable, buy-in and active involvement from supervisors is necessary. Middle managers form the crucial link between senior management and employees and should be equipped and empowered to facilitate mobility programmes in the workplace. Form a Task Force Supervisors should be included in the team that is initially tasked with exploring the viability of flexible work options for the organisation. Being close to the ground, and experiencing the day-to-day operations, they can offer valuable insights on the current labour situation, and a better understanding of the types of mobility programmes that would suit their teams. Set Clear Targets and Deliverables As mobile employees have less ‘face-time’ in the workplace, supervisors should establish targets, timelines and deliverables upfront. Work performance must also be measured by efficiency and the quality of work instead of the number of hours spent in the office. For example, one client successfully created clear and measurable KPIs for his sales team – employees needed to submit weekly sales reports and meet sales targets and quotas. The penalties for not meeting these requirements are stated upfront to staff and monetary awards are given to those who exceed the set targets. Cultivate Open Communication Supervisors need to actively create a trust culture within their teams. One method is to proactively seek feedback and keep an open mind when listening to employees’ comments and grievances. For example, a client required managers to initiate twice yearly chats with individual employees to promote more open ENABLING MOBILE WORK – AN EMPLOYER’S GUIDE IN THE NEW ECONOMY 19 and authentic communication with one another. This constant communication should extend to those who work in the traditional office environment as well. Staff who do not participate in flexible working arrangements can feel short-changed and assume they have to put in extra effort to support their peers who have more flexibility at work. Supervisors should be ready to address these queries and remind employees that while flexibility is available to all, different job functions allow for differing degrees of flexibility. Fair and Equitable Treatment Supervisors should expect the same level of work contribution from both the mobile and office-based staff. When result-oriented KPIs are set and clearly communicated to the team, employees will be assured that a transparent staff evaluation process is in place. Supervisors should also effectively manage the expectations of their mobile workers. In the event that an employee works remotely on a part-time basis, it should be clearly explained that their salary and benefits will be pro-rated accordingly. Enhance Team Dynamics A team with positive synergy works well together and is likely to be more efficient and productive. While creating healthy team dynamics can be challenging when managing employees who work remotely, supervisors can improve team bonding and interaction in a variety of ways. These include conducting monthly team meetings, regular training and even social outings to create a sense of unity and belonging. 20 ENABLING MOBILE WORK – AN EMPLOYER’S GUIDE IN THE NEW ECONOMY Adopt Technology Supervisors best understand the work processes and needs of their teams, and should be involved in selecting a reputable information technology or systems integrator vendor as well as in the redesign of job roles and workflow affected by the introduction of the new IT system. Measure & Measure A key success factor in managing a mobile workforce is to measure the efficiency of the working arrangement regularly over the long term. These key factors should be assessed as part of the evaluation: • The process used; the intended and unintended outcomes of the process, and an assessment of what parts of the process were successful or might be improved. • The impact of the flexi-work arrangement, pre-set measurable indicators such as employee morale, productivity, absenteeism, recruitment and staff turnover should be considered. • The sustainability of the mobile working arrangement over the longer term. Supervisors should also expect to refine the mobile working arrangements over time. For example, an employee who is a new mother and opts to work from home may need more time to care for her newborn. Her employer may consider allowing shorter working hours for the first three months after maternity leave and gradually lengthen the working hours over time. Ultimately, effectively managing a mobile workforce requires supervisors to proactively identify employees’ needs and find suitable flexible solutions which are aligned with organisational objectives. This will create a motivated and engaged workforce for the organisation. ENABLING MOBILE WORK – AN EMPLOYER’S GUIDE IN THE NEW ECONOMY 21 PREPARING EMPLOYEES for Mobile Work Sher-Li Torrey, Founder Mums@Work Taking the First Steps A comprehensive HR policy is necessary for employers to effectively manage mobile workers. If a HR manual is already in place, a section on mobile working arrangements should be included. You may also consider adding a mobile arrangement request form, a questionnaire for employees to assess if they are suitable to be on a mobile working arrangement, as well as checklists for staff who require a home office set up. A well-constructed HR manual should: • Define mobile working arrangements as they pertain to the organisation. • Describe the types of mobile working arrangements available. • Detail the criteria that employees need to meet in order to apply for mobile working arrangements. To deter misuse and decrease the likelihood of future disputes, HR policies and regulations regarding mobile work practices should be formalised to ensure clarity and mutual understanding. Employers must also adhere to statutory legislation and provide guidelines on important issues such as compensation, annual leave entitlement, allowances and other employee benefits that may be affected by the implementation of the new scheme. Take note of the legal obligations as an employer when work is done at a location beyond the office; some organisations provide employee insurance coverage in case of emergencies. This policy should be revised as mobility programmes evolve, and incorporate feedback and recommendations from employees and supervisors. 22 ENABLING MOBILE WORK – AN EMPLOYER’S GUIDE IN THE NEW ECONOMY Once the company has identified the specific goals to be achieved through mobile work, the scope of the mobility programme needs to be determined. The key questions to consider are: • Will mobile working arrangements be implemented uniformly throughout the organisation or geared towards certain departments? • Will there be a pilot programme? Setting a timeline of six months to one year to pilot new mobile work options will allow the organisation to evaluate the effectiveness of the programme as well as pinpoint areas for improvement. For an accurate assessment of the mobility programme, the new work arrangements should be piloted in a team where the job nature, team make up and familiarity with processes will facilitate successful implementation. Before Implementation Define the job roles within the organisation and list the tasks within each job scope. This exercise will reveal the positions that are suitable for mobile work. It is important to note that job suitability is dependent on the actual tasks carried out by the employee rather than their job title or work schedule. Tasks suited to Mobile Work Tasks not suited to Mobile Work • Require thinking and writing • Require employee’s physical presence to attend to clients, e.g. face-to-face customer service roles • Telephone-intensive tasks • Computer-oriented tasks Examples of Tasks: Analysis, Auditing reports, Computer programming, Conducting business by phone, Data entry, Design work, Editing, Evaluations, Field visits, Maintaining databases, Planning, Preparing budgets, Preparing contracts, Project management, Reading, Record keeping, Research, Thinking, Writing • Require extensive face-to-face contact with supervisors or other colleagues • Require access to materials that cannot be located outside the physical office ENABLING MOBILE WORK – AN EMPLOYER’S GUIDE IN THE NEW ECONOMY 23 Assessing Employee Eligibility General guidelines should be developed to help determine which employees can opt for mobile work options. Some useful criteria to consider include: • Employee’s reasons for requesting mobile work • Employee’s working relationship with supervisors and colleagues • Employee’s job function • Employee’s work style and personality, specifically: • Employee’s past performance record - Organisational, time-management and planning skills - Ability to work independently - Ability to prioritise and meet deadlines - Ability to thrive in an environment that has little social interaction during work hours Setting up a Home Office: Equipment and Security To determine if an employee’s home is suitable for working remotely, ideally it could include the following: Telephone (land line) Cell phone Voice mail Laptop computer Software Scanner/Printer Desktop computer Broadband Internet access Provide a checklist for employees and clearly indicate the equipment that will be provided by the company as well as outline the reimbursement policy and process. Involve the IT department in the setting up of security systems required to maintain sensitive corporate information. Management Involvement Flexible Work Arrangements are most effective when management understands the organisational benefits of mobile working and fully supports the new initiatives. HR and Management should work together to clearly define and articulate the goals of all mobility programmes. 24 ENABLING MOBILE WORK – AN EMPLOYER’S GUIDE IN THE NEW ECONOMY Tips for Effective Implementation SUPERVISOR Objectively evaluate the employee’s performance; acknowledge effort, provide constructive feedback with input from customers and colleagues Integrate the performance appraisal process into the mobile work agreement Be readily contactable to your employees who work remotely via phone, e-mail and other forms of pre-agreed communication EMPLOYEE Maintain good working relationships with co-workers and supervisors which may include department lunch gatherings, etc. Respect the work schedule arrangements and keep to them, especially when other team members are affected, e.g. team meetings Maintain open and honest communication with your supervisor Be patient: Know that any new policy or work arrangement requires time for adjustment Post Implementation: The Monitoring Process The evaluation process should be determined prior to embarking on the mobile work scheme. Once the programme begins, constantly get feedback from the employee, supervisor and other team members. Ideally, templates should be prepared for the following: Mobile Worker’s Performance Evaluation Form Supervisor’s Performance Evaluation Form This should include monitoring of: This should include: • Communication style and habits • Supervisor’s ability to facilitate the mobile working arrangement by providing objective evaluation and proactively problem-solving any issues that may emerge as a result of mobile work • Responsibility level • Level of independence • Supervisor’s ability to manage the entire team ENABLING MOBILE WORK – AN EMPLOYER’S GUIDE IN THE NEW ECONOMY 25 Team-mates’ Suggestions and Feedback Form Programme Evaluation Form This should include questions for colleagues to provide feedback and offer solutions about the mobile working arrangements. This should focus solely on the success level of the programme, and should be completed by various stakeholders. Possible Challenges & Solutions When implementing mobile working arrangements, some common challenges may arise: 26 Challenge Solution Supervisors may express difficulty in monitoring the team due to the mix of employees who are physically present in the office and those who are not. Hold pre-implementation discussions where work expectations are clearly explained to the supervisor and employee. Rather than adopt a ‘wait-and-see’ approach, problems should be addressed as soon as they arise. Management may be concerned that employees will abuse the system and be less committed and efficient when working from home. Ensure employees’ performance appraisals include performance-based deliverables. Implement a communication schedule for employees to provide supervisors with updates and surface issues via e-mails, phone calls or face-to-face meetings. Other team members are unhappy with the arrangement and feel unfairly treated. It is important to clearly define the roles which are approved for mobile work. Employees should also be rewarded based on well-defined KPIs. ENABLING MOBILE WORK – AN EMPLOYER’S GUIDE IN THE NEW ECONOMY WORKING BETTER WITH Job Redesign Amy BC Tan, Partner & Diana Yeo, Director Centre for Organisational Effectiveness What is Job Redesign? Job redesign is the reconfiguring of tasks in a job to create a better fit for staff and business needs. For instance, tasks that can be done in isolation can be assigned to a telecommuter and duplicated tasks may be eliminated. One full-time job can be shared between two part-timers working independently of each other. Job redesign eliminates unnecessary work, channels employees’ skills more efficiently, and enables higher flexibility and effective work distribution. Ultimately, job redesign promotes a dual agenda of inspiring and motivating employees while achieving business goals. Shift from a Pyramid to a Barrel-Shaped Organisational Structure Organisations across industries are constantly reviewing and changing their organisational structure to meet evolving business needs. Organisations are gradually shifting from a Pyramid to a Barrel-Shaped organisational structure with a large middle segment. This is due to reduced recruitment efforts as well as the trend of hiring mid-level executives with relevant experience. Many traditional assumptions about the course of a person’s lifetime career are changing. The evolving demographic patterns as well as the growth in knowledge-based work are redefining job design as we know it. In Singapore, jobs are still described in terms of time, e.g. a 44-hour work week or an 8-hour day. However, this measure is losing its relevance as the majority of the workforce is now employed in service industries (with more than half engaged as knowledge employees, paid for writing, analysing, advising, counting, designing, researching, etc). Time-based jobs make little sense for these employees. Consequently, employees now require output-based performance indicators, which will also provide them with autonomy and flexibility in organising their work. While these trends indicate a high level of maturity in the workforce, they need to be accompanied by new methods of human capital management. The following examples show how organisations can harness the full potential of the new workforce through job redesign. ENABLING MOBILE WORK – AN EMPLOYER’S GUIDE IN THE NEW ECONOMY 27 Example 1: Redesign Jobs for Better Employee Attraction and Retention High turnover at a laboratory in the healthcare sector was partially driven by high workload, mundane, unchallenging work and inflexible work arrangements. Upon analysis of the time allocation of scientists in the lab, it was apparent that highly-trained and experienced employees only spent 59% of their time on the actual jobs they were hired for. Another 17% of their time was used for preparatory and support work that could be done by junior lab personnel. Even more surprising, a significant amount of time (24%) was used for administrative and logistics tasks that could be done by personnel with minimal or without any lab knowledge (See Figure). This indicated a significant waste of highly qualified, rare and expensive manpower. This also meant that these high level employees were frustrated and left the organisation as they felt their skills were not properly used. Redesigning their jobs to focus on their primary tasks with some involvement in secondary tasks led to greater job satisfaction, lighter workload and higher productivity. The administrative activities were taken over by a small support team with the long-term plan of outsourcing these tasks. 28 ENABLING MOBILE WORK – AN EMPLOYER’S GUIDE IN THE NEW ECONOMY Example 2: Reframing Mindsets & Redefining Jobs Difficulty in attracting and retaining the right employees has challenged a local edutainment setup to rethink its decade-old job roles and staff working conditions. Feedback from focus groups and a lifestyle survey revealed that working every weekend and all public holidays was demotivating employees, as they had little Work-Life integration. This resulted in high attrition in the organisation. A limited and monotonous job scope also contributed to difficulty in recruiting new staff. There were two different teams on the ground – one performing demonstrations and conducting workshops and the other interacting with customers. Business needs dictated that all the functions undertaken by both teams of employees were to be conducted on weekends and public holidays, which were peak periods. Thus, the leadership reviewed the resource planning process and analysed the customer profiles to find a solution. Reframing the situation allowed Management to see that the two distinct groups possessed the same qualifications and were capable of performing all the job tasks across teams. Thus, the resource pool transformed from two groups of 5 employees performing specific tasks, to an expanded team of 10 employees who shared the whole spectrum of work. The increased variety in job scope motivated and engaged employees. With a larger pool of employees, a work roster was implemented and employees now work one weekend every 2 months instead of every weekend. This job redesign and new resource management created opportunities for career development as well as greater employee engagement, as staff now have more weekends off and additional time to participate in the company’s projects. The organisation’s retention rate of high potential employees also increased by 50% since the job redesign was implemented. In today’s fast-changing workplace, job redesign has evolved from a one-time task to an on-going process that organisations require to maintain their competitiveness. Job redesign is most effective as a collaborative effort between business leaders and line managers and should be undertaken by employers aiming to develop dynamic, networked and global corporations of the future. ENABLING MOBILE WORK – AN EMPLOYER’S GUIDE IN THE NEW ECONOMY 29 CASE STUDY SP Services About the Organisation SP Services, a member of the Singapore Power Group, provides households and businesses in Singapore with services such as meter reading, billing and utilities supplies connection. The company offers its employees a Work-From-Home (WFH) Scheme which enables staff to work remotely while meeting business objectives. Under this scheme: • Office staff can work from home. • Field staff can travel to their job sites directly from home without having to report to the office at the start of the day and they can end work at external locations without having to return to the office to ‘clock out’. This mobile working arrangement was implemented in 2008 as a service initiative to extend operational hours for customers. In 2009, in response to their employees’ request for more family-friendly work arrangements, it was rolled out to full-time call agents and is now offered to other backend customer service staff as well. SP Services has 660 employees, 150 of whom tap on the WFH scheme. Over 100 of these employees are field staff, such as technicians and meter readers while a small proportion are customer service staff. These employees are a varied group, including younger employees who are studying part-time as well as parents with young children. Positive Outcomes of Mobile Work • Higher productivity and lower absenteeism • Lower attrition due to increased employee motivation • A 3% increase in customer satisfaction over the past year • Lower overhead costs due to savings in office rentals • Better Work-Life integration for employees 30 ENABLING MOBILE WORK – AN EMPLOYER’S GUIDE IN THE NEW ECONOMY Winning Strategies SP Services conducts regular dialogue sessions with staff on the WFH scheme to gather feedback and review performance targets. This allowed the company to identify HR, process and technical issues when the scheme was first rolled out. The company taps on intranet web chat and instant messaging systems to keep home-based employees connected to their colleagues in the office. The company ensures sufficient ‘face-time’ with mobile workers to foster team bonding and cultivate trust. This is done through: • Fortnightly on-the-job sharing sessions for the field team • Regular training for employees on the WFH scheme • Gatherings at department and corporate levels SP Services has invested in infrastructure to enable employees to work efficiently from external locations. Each staff on the scheme is issued a laptop, handphone, VPN token for remote access to IT systems and given an Internet broadband subscription allowance. “ We met up with staff every week to gather feedback and made “ improvements to the scheme whenever necessary. For example, we switched from mobile Internet to cable Internet subscription for staff on the scheme, to minimise lost connections. Mrs Jeanne Cheng, Managing Director of SP Services ENABLING MOBILE WORK – AN EMPLOYER’S GUIDE IN THE NEW ECONOMY 31 CASE STUDY Bizlink Singapore About the Organisation Bizlink Singapore is a non-profit organisation that offers employment services and job placement for disadvantaged and disabled individuals in the local community. The organisation manages two sheltered workshops including a data entry centre and operates several social enterprises which offer cleaning services, data entry and IT services, packing, manpower outsourcing as well as the production of cards and gifts under the ‘These Abled People’ brand. A significant proportion of the organisation’s 200 employees tap on flex options – 25% of all employees work part-time and eight work from home on a permanent basis. These home-based employees perform data operation functions including data entry and verification of customers’ information. Implementing mobile working arrangements enables us to tap onto an individual’s most productive time and is not limited by the working venue to fulfil a task. 32 ENABLING MOBILE WORK – AN EMPLOYER’S GUIDE IN THE NEW ECONOMY The organisation clearly stipulates the criteria that employees will need to fulfil in order to be considered for a home-based work arrangement: • The employee has proven capable of working independently from home. • The employee has a disability or condition that requires him/her to work from home. • The employee has a home situation which requires him/her to work from home for a stipulated period of time. Positive Outcomes of Mobile Work • Tapping on a wider pool of well-qualified potential employees who may have otherwise opted out of the workforce due to their inability to commute to a traditional office. • A more diverse organisational culture as employees are a varied group who bring different skills and experiences to the team. • Greater accountability and engagement among employees. To ensure this scheme remains relevant, employees and supervisors need to have open communication to discuss personal and business needs, so as to arrive at a positive and efficient Work-Life outcome. Winning Strategies Bizlink has a comprehensive training programme to provide home-based employees with guidance and support in new tasks: • Supervisors conduct an initial in-house training for employees on a new project. This is usually 1-2 weeks in duration and transport assistance is provided for employees who require it. • Follow-up training is also conducted via phone or through an easy-to-follow process chart. The organisation maintains a high level of supervision despite the lack of ‘face-time’ with employees. • Supervisors maintain constant communication with their team of employees via phone and e-mail, to track the progress of a project and promptly address queries. • Supervisors quickly identify any unexpected gaps in the work processes such as an employee falling ill, and re-assign jobs as needed. ENABLING MOBILE WORK – AN EMPLOYER’S GUIDE IN THE NEW ECONOMY 33 CASE STUDY IBM Singapore About the Organisation IBM is a leading information technology company with over 3,000 employees in its Singapore office. As an early adopter of Work-Life practices, IBM has gradually shifted from a traditional office to one where employees are not confined by physical workspace and can work from any location – such as the client’s office, while telecommuting, or from home. IBM’s Mobility Programme is made available to all employees, and is primarily used by customer – facing employees in sales and services who are constantly on the move and frequently work away from the office. IBM’s Mobility Programme also enhances the organisation’s competitive edge – the high degree of flexibility allows employees to promptly meet client requests. Customers need us to meet commitments, any place, at any time. An office space near the city centre has been set up as a smart work centre to provide employees the option of dropping in to work or meet clients as required. 34 ENABLING MOBILE WORK – AN EMPLOYER’S GUIDE IN THE NEW ECONOMY Employees are also given laptops to facilitate mobile working. Managers of new hires are tasked to explain how the Mobility Programme works within the department and set expectations accordingly. Staff have access to online portals such as IBM Communities and other social media tools to connect with other IBMers. Through these communication channels, employees seek advice and share best practices even while working remotely. Positive Outcomes of Mobile Work IBM has found that the Mobility Programme has increased employee engagement and organisational effectiveness. Some of the tangible benefits include: • Greater employee loyalty and higher staff retention • Higher morale and motivation resulting in lower absenteeism and greater productivity • Savings in office rental and overhead costs that translate into a higher profit margin • Greater customer satisfaction and better business results • Better time management as a result of less time spent commuting and ability to meet both personal and work commitments • More personal time • Greater opportunities for self-advancement (through courses/seminars) Winning Strategies IBM has adopted sound business values of trust and personal responsibility which form the foundation for its positive Work-Life culture. The company trusts its employees to work autonomously, and staff reciprocate by going the extra mile. New employees attend a New Hire Orientation where the flexible work options and policies are explained, allowing them to assimilate easily into the established Work-Life culture. Employees have said that balancing their responsibilities for work, family, education and other commitments is becoming increasingly difficult under traditional work schedules. Their ability to address work and family is a critical factor in their decision to stay with IBM. ENABLING MOBILE WORK – AN EMPLOYER’S GUIDE IN THE NEW ECONOMY 35 CASE STUDY Public Service Division About the Organisation The Public Service Division (PSD) has a staff strength of nearly 300 employees, most of whom carry out functions such as planning and analysis, as well as strategy and policy formulation. PSD officers are involved in managing and developing human resources, driving change and preparing for the future of the Singapore Public Service. With the exception of a small group of officers who are assigned fixed work-stations due to work requirements (e.g. personal assistants to senior management), the large majority of PSD officers are currently on a hot desking arrangement. Work-Life integration has become a key strategy of PSD as it seeks to be an employer of choice. PSD offers several Flexible Work Arrangements (FWAs) to its staff: • Flexi-Time: Employees may vary the start and end times of their working hours, provided they fulfil the requirement of 42 hours of work per week. • Flexi-Place: Also known as telecommuting, this allows employees to work remotely with the help of technology. • Flexi-Load: This is a part-time employment scheme that allows officers to opt for a shorter workweek with pro-rated salaries and benefits. • Flexi-Leave: A variety of leave options are available to cater to the different needs of officers. Some leave options include: Parent-care leave No-pay leave of up to 2 years (for employees who need to be away for longer periods, such as further studies or accompanying a spouse overseas) Positive Outcomes of Mobile Work • Better attraction and retention of quality talent • Better teamwork between colleagues • Strong organisational trust culture 36 ENABLING MOBILE WORK – AN EMPLOYER’S GUIDE IN THE NEW ECONOMY “ “ Flexi-time and flexi-place have really changed the way we work today, allowing me to satisfactorily fulfil the various roles in my life, whether as a student, staff, wife or mother. Rachel Naidu, a personal assistant who completed a part-time diploma with Temasek Polytechnic in 2010 while on an FWA Winning Strategies PSD provides its officers with mobile equipment such as laptops, VPN remote access and mobile phones to ensure connectivity. The office has an open concept layout with collaboration-friendly features such as cosy areas for brainstorming and small group discussions, and ad-hoc “quiet” rooms for staff working on confidential work. Senior management keeps open communication lines with staff to show their support for working flexibly. Dialogue sessions are held with employees, and some senior management staff have blogged about their telecommuting experiences. Roundtable sessions are held for supervisors to discuss their challenges when managing a flexi-team and share solutions and learning. Success stories of “mobile staff” are shared in blogs and speeches to encourage staff not to shy away from FWAs. Regular employee engagement surveys are conducted to assess the effectiveness of current FWAs. ENABLING MOBILE WORK – AN EMPLOYER’S GUIDE IN THE NEW ECONOMY 37 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The Employer Alliance would like to acknowledge the following individuals and organisations who have shared their views and stories about Mobile Work. Mr Hawazi Daipi Chairman, Tripartite Committee on Work-Life Strategy Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Manpower and Education Ms Claire Chiang Chairperson, Employer Alliance Companies Bizlink Singapore IBM Singapore Microsoft Singapore Public Service Division SP Services Consultants 361 Degree Consultancy Ken Leong, Director aAdvantage Consulting Jacqueline Gwee, Director Centre for Organisational Effectiveness Amy BC Tan, Partner & Diana Yeo, Director Mums@Work Sher-Li Torrey, Founder 38 ENABLING MOBILE WORK – AN EMPLOYER’S GUIDE IN THE NEW ECONOMY ISBN: 978-981-07-5613-0 Publisher Employer Alliance Design & Production Semco Design Communications Pte Ltd All rights reserved. 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