I’d rather coffee than policy – you?
Firstly, to update you on my most recent musings (albeit some time ago now). There is still a queue for the barista – that hasn’t changed (remember, I’m an oat latte if you’re buying) and the office is back in full swing – with people & dogs. There are noticeably quieter days with less footfall, namely Mondays & Fridays. Thursday (which I hear is the new Friday) is the day to avoid if you’re hung up on getting your free caffeine fix. Heading over the road for an overpriced Tall, Grande or Venti is the best option (other coffee shops and sizes are available).
2022 has been an exciting time at Kingsley Gate Partners as we continue to grow our European teams. It’s been great talking to the market again, reconnecting with my network and understanding how work life has changed for everybody. Some people are back in the office full-time, some are home full-time, but most seem to be working in a more hybrid model.
I’ve been interviewing via the platform HireLogic which has transformed the way I meet people by adding an element of science, using machine learning to listen to interviews, capture transcripts and provide insights about the candidates, whilst letting me focus on the real conversation, and that conversation has definitely changed!
One of the top questions from interviewees now, which sits just below understanding our firm’s culture, is no longer about working hours or benefits but, “What is your remote working policy?” I’m always delighted to see the reaction when my response is “We don’t have a policy”.
As an Ops person, I like a good policy, but we’ve decided to avoid any structured framework around this. It works for us; it works really well! Empowering our people to manage their own day in the most effective way with their direct teams has proven very successful. The 9-to-5 working day squeezing onto busy commuter trains and heading to the office seems a distant memory.
However, health and welfare are at the top of our agenda and as a firm, we’re conscious that working from home isn’t for everybody. There are regular check-ins, and the office is always there for anybody who prefers that more traditional structure and routine.
There’s no doubt it’s important to get together, but we do that more strategically now and maximise the time effectively. We get together for a reason and make it count!
What’s your current flexible working plan? Does your employer enforce anything particular with you? Let me know in the comments.
