Page 22 - Leading and managing people in the new normal

3.1 Leading with an openness to flexibility first Key talking points

What does it mean to lead with flexibility first? • Have a one-on-one conversation with

each team member to discuss/hear
• ‘Flexible first’ means the starting position for a flexible work request will be, “How can it be done” and will their ideal flexible work arrangements.
genuinely try to reach agreement that balances the needs of the business, the work team and the employee. Collect this for each team member.

• Check your own assumptions about flexible work. Leading with flexibility means that we are flexible in our
thinking as much as we are flexible in our ways of working. • What worked well for our team?
• True flexibility means that we allow for work flexibility beyond remote working opportunities by accommodating • What were some of the challenges?
different start times, work hours and general flexibility on when, where and how work gets done. The key is to
find what works for your team.
• It is important that you as a team review your arrangements to ensure they are still working for you as
individuals and as a group and make any adjustments that may be required.

• Flexible ways of working will continue to be an essential part of many of our work arrangements throughout the
transition to COVID-safe workplaces and beyond.
• Flexibility will help us to achieve physical distancing and will lessen the impact on public transport systems and
building operations such as lifts.
Further resources
Principles to lead with flexibility first

Flexible working myths
We are keen to further explore principles for leading with flexibility, but in the meantime important principles Alternative work arrangements on QHEPS
include:
eHealth services that support flexible working
Trust is the starting point arrangements
Flexible work arrangements on QHPES
HR policy C5: flexible working arrangements
Check your biases and assumptions about flexible work Guidelines to flexible working arrangements

Contact your local HR team for further advice
Guilt-free attitude to working flexibly
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