Personal Wellbeing

The Paradox of Flexibility: The Nightmare of Managers

February 17, 2023
Mohit Sahni

Flexibility is the buzzword of the modern workplace. With the rise of hybrid and remote work arrangements, employees have come to expect a level of autonomy that is unprecedented in the history of work. 

While this newfound flexibility has led to increased job satisfaction and productivity for employees, it has created a nightmare for managers. The same autonomy that employees crave is the very thing that has left many managers struggling to keep up. The flexibility paradox has arrived, and it's making managers miserable. 

In this article, we will explore the benefits and challenges of the flexible workplace; the struggles managers face in adapting to it, and the negative effects of too much flexibility. 

Finally, we will provide a roadmap for managers to find the balance between flexibility and structure that will lead to success in the hybrid workplace.

The Flexible Workplace and its Benefits

Photo by Christin Hume on Unsplash

With the advent of hybrid work arrangements, employees have greater flexibility in how they work than ever before. This has not only led to increased job satisfaction but also to greater productivity and work-life balance. It's no wonder, then, that companies and managers have embraced this trend as a way to attract and retain top talent.

The benefits of a flexible workplace are manifold. Companies are unleashing their full potential by giving employees the power to shape their work environment. As a result, employees have more control over their time and workspaces, leading to increased focus and creativity. They can also manage their personal lives more easily, leading to greater job satisfaction and loyalty.

The Struggle for Managers

The rise of the flexible workplace has left many managers feeling like they are in uncharted waters. Managing remote and hybrid teams requires new skills and approaches, and many managers are struggling to maintain productivity and engagement among their teams while ensuring efficient and effective work.

Some of the biggest challenges managers face in the flexible workplace include:

Monitoring and measuring productivity

  • Difficulty in keeping track of what employees are doing in different physical spaces
  • Adapting to new tools and metrics required for managing remote and hybrid teams
  • Ensuring everyone is on the same page

Creating synergy among team members

  • Preventing employees from working in isolation without much interaction with others
  • Avoiding breakdowns in communication, collaboration, and teamwork

Managing employee engagement and motivation

  • Keeping everyone working towards the same goals, despite greater employee autonomy
  • Maintaining a sense of teamwork and collaboration

Overall, more flexibility can positively affect productivity and team culture. Finding the right balance is key to success in the new world of work.

"Managing a remote team is like trying to paint a masterpiece with your eyes closed. You know what it's supposed to look like, but you can't see it happening in real-time." - Ann Handley.

The Paradox of Choice

Photo by LinkedIn Sales Solutions on Unsplash

The paradox of choice is a real phenomenon, and it can have negative effects on employee performance and morale. For example, employees with too much autonomy may struggle with decision paralysis, analysis paralysis, and a lack of direction.

In the context of the flexible workplace, this can lead to reduced productivity, missed deadlines, and a lack of focus. Additionally, too much flexibility can create silos and a lack of communication and collaboration among team members, further exacerbating the problem.

The Middle Ground

To strike a balance between too much flexibility and too much structure in a flexible workplace, managers can take the following steps:

Communicate expectations clearly

  • Set measurable goals for employees
  • Provide regular feedback and check-ins

Foster a culture of collaboration

  • Create opportunities for employees to work together and share their ideas and insights.
  • Schedule regular team meetings and virtual team-building activities

Leverage technology to manage productivity

  • Use tools to track and monitor employee performance
  • Ensure everyone is working towards the same goals

Provide training and development opportunities

  • Help employees develop the skills they need through corporate wellness programs to succeed in a flexible workplace.

By finding the middle ground, managers can create a culture of communication and collaboration that fosters productivity and teamwork and unlock the full potential of their teams in the new world of work.

The Flexibility Paradox Resolved

In the end, the flexibility paradox can be resolved by finding the right balance between too much flexibility and too much structure. By striking a middle ground, managers can create a culture of communication and collaboration that fosters productivity and teamwork while still giving employees the autonomy they crave.

As we move forward into the future of work, it's clear that the flexible workplace is here to stay. Of course, the challenges of managing remote and hybrid teams will continue, but by finding the right balance, managers can create a culture of collaboration and productivity that fosters success and growth.

At The Wellness Tribe, we believe in the power of employee wellness to drive productivity and success in the workplace. By promoting a healthy work-life balance and providing resources and support for employees to thrive in a flexible workplace, we can help managers strike the right balance and achieve their goals. With the right tools, strategies, and mindset, we can all thrive in the new world of work.

Workplace Wellbeing

Groundbreaking Tool for Measuring Workplace Stress: NIMHANS

February 5, 2023
Nitesh Padghan

It's no secret that stress has become a ubiquitous part of our lives, especially in the workplace. From meeting tight deadlines to dealing with a demanding boss, work-related stress is taking a toll on our mental and physical well-being. 

In fact, according to a recent survey by Hush, one in five Indian workers suffers from workplace depression. This not only affects an individual's performance and productivity, but it's also a major risk factor for non-communicable diseases. 

But what if we told you that there's a solution to this problem? A groundbreaking tool that can assess and measure work-related stress accurately and quickly.  

Breaking the Chains of Work Stress

Groundbreaking Tool for Measuring Workplace Stress: NIMHANS
Photo by Elisa Ventur on Unsplash

An innovative tool has been developed by the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurological Sciences (NIMHANS) to Assess and Classify Work Stress-16 (TAWS-16), an innovative tool that integrates three critical aspects of work stress - stressors, coping mechanisms, and symptoms. 

TAWS-16 is not just any ordinary stress assessment tool. It's a game-changer! Let's take a closer look at what makes TAWS-16 so special.

Unpacking the Unique Components

This tool is specifically designed to tackle work-related stress in the Indian workforce. With two sets of 16 questions, TAWS-16 takes into account not just stressors at work but also coping mechanisms and physical symptoms. The tool categorizes individuals into three colour-coded risk categories ( yellow, red, and green ) to help employers offer targeted interventions.

Streamlining the Administration Process

TAWS-16 is fast and easy to administer, taking only six to twelve minutes to complete. Taking the test can be done manually or electronically, making it accessible to everyone. And the best part? Results are provided instantly, so you can start taking action right away!

Extensive validation and reliability assessment: 

TAWS-16 is not just a quick solution but a reliable one too. It has been extensively tested and validated for Indian workplace settings, ensuring that the results you receive are accurate and trustworthy.

"No matter how much pressure you feel at work, if you could find ways to relax for at least five minutes every hour, you'd be more productive." - Dr. Joyce Brothers

No more outdated methods

Groundbreaking Tool for Measuring Workplace Stress: NIMHANS
Photo by Glenn Carstens-Peters on Unsplash

The current stress assessment tools in the public domain may measure stress, but they often fall short by considering factors not related to work and are too lengthy to administer regularly. Moreover, they don't consider employees' coping abilities or the manifestation of physical symptoms.

But that's not all; these tools aren't even validated for Indian workplace settings, making them irrelevant to the unique challenges faced by the Indian workforce. This is where TAWS-16 comes in - a tool specifically tailored to the Indian workplace. 

The program identifies common work stressors that Indians face and addresses problems specifically associated with the Indian workforce. It assesses work-related stress in a given workplace and considers various factors - exposure to stressors, frequency of exposure, coping abilities, work-stress level, and symptoms.

The Power of TAWS-16

TAWS-16 is a closer look at work stressors and provides a unique approach to stress assessment. This tool identifies the common work stressors faced by the Indian workforce and provides a solution tailored to the Indian workplace. The administration of TAWS-16 is fast, simple, and effective. It only takes between 6-12 minutes to complete and can be done manually or through a web-based application.

Not only is TAWS-16 easy to use, but it also provides immediate results. The results are categorized into three color-coded risk categories (red, yellow, and green), which allows for targeted interventions. The fast and effective administration of TAWS-16, combined with its immediate results, gives workplaces the power to take control of their employees' stress levels.

TAWS-16 has undergone extensive validation and reliability assessment, so you can be confident in the results it provides. 

Leading the Way to Wellness

For too long, traditional stress assessment methods have fallen short of addressing the unique stressors that Indian workers face. TAWS-16 changes that by offering a fast, simple, and effective solution to the problem. This tool considers the challenges and pressures that come with the Indian workplace and provides immediate results that can be used to create targeted interventions.

Gone are the days of outdated stress assessment tools that fail to address the unique stressors of the Indian workforce. TAWS-16 takes a holistic approach by integrating stressors, coping mechanisms, and physical symptoms to accurately assess work-related stress in just 6-12 minutes.

As a corporate wellness company, at The Wellness Tribe we understands the toll work-related stress can take on employees' mental and physical well-being. That's why we are excited about NIMHANS' groundbreaking tool for measuring workplace stress: TAWS-16.

The Wellness Tribe is here to support you with AI-driven analysis and wellness solutions for your employees. Let's break the chains of work stress and prioritize employee well-being together.

Corporate Wellness

Establishing Employee Trust: 5 Ways to Make It Happen

October 21, 2022
The Wellness Tribe Team

With the fear of an impending recession, hiring freezes, and mass layoffs, many individuals are experiencing great stress and uncertainty at work right now. Employees want to know whether their job is secure, what they should be doing, and what the future holds.

In times like this, it may be incredibly difficult for managers to build trust in their teams. What information should you provide, and how much of it should you share? How can you be open about the company's problems without discouraging your employees? How can confidence be provided without making misleading promises?

Here are some 8 strategies for assisting your team through times of uncertainty:

Keep It Up-To-Date

Establishing Employee Trust  5 Ways to Make It Happen
Photo by Kindel Media

Because of uncertainty, things are always changing; what is true now may no longer be true tomorrow. That is why, as a manager, it is critical to keep your team members as informed as possible to avoid them getting stressed.

Schedule frequent meetings to keep your staff up to speed on recent strategy changes and actively communicate relevant information as it becomes available. When your employees are sure that you are dedicated to keeping them informed, it may reduce uncertainty and foster a better feeling of trust.

Be Open and Honest

While you must be careful with the information you offer, it is critical that you be as explicit and honest as possible. Be candid about the reality that no one, including you, can completely predict what lies ahead, but that you do know the company is doing all it can to provide a solid foundation for the future. 

Make it apparent that the corporation wants you to share what you know by using phrases like "I shouldn't be telling you this" or "don't discuss this with anybody, but..." In order to avoid instilling secrecy and suspicion, make an explicit effort to emphasise that the information you are delivering is coming straight from leadership.

Assume Responsibility

When an unfavourable event occurs, be sure to accept responsibility as their leader.

As a leader, it is your responsibility to accept responsibility for the welfare of the whole team, even if it is not directly your fault. Accept responsibility for all actions, good and bad, and your team will begin to trust you.

"Leadership is not about being in charge. Leadership is about taking care of those in your charge." - Simon Sinek

Prepare for Similar Discussions

Establishing Employee Trust  5 Ways to Make It Happen
Photo by Thirdman

It may be challenging for employees when every day is different, and things are continuously changing, so be prepared to have similar talks with your team members about the same pain areas, questions, and worries. 

Try to be patient, even if you believe you've previously discussed this, since your staff may need to go over things many times before they feel more in control. Additionally, be consistent in the information you provide with the team to minimise misunderstanding or misinterpretation. Incorporate employee wellness programs to start such conversations. 

Be Confident and Enthusiastic

Because your actions and attitude as a manager may significantly impact your staff, it is critical to show confidence in leadership and excitement for the future. While things are unpredictable and no one knows everything, it is your obligation to emphasise what you do know and how you can best position the team to go ahead efficiently. 

Always endeavour to lead with positivity and acknowledge your team's efforts. Language such as "we've got this" and "I'm so pleased with all the effort our team has done" is an excellent method to foster togetherness and optimism.

Activities That Build Trust

Establishing Employee Trust  5 Ways to Make It Happen
Photo by RF._.studio

Morale is increased via Trust-Building Activities. It's been proved that when individuals appreciate their employees, they're happier and more productive—and this doesn't happen by chance. Providing activities aimed at creating trust in teams is one method to boost morale while also increasing trust.

Provide Emotional Support

During times of uncertainty, stress and anxiety are understandable. Take the time to check in with your team members on a regular basis. Begin your weekly meetings by asking how your staff are doing and if there is anything you can do to help. 

Pay close attention to what they are saying and asking so that you can follow up later. As a manager, it is critical to consider your employees' viewpoints and to evaluate what you would like to hear if you were in their shoes.

Invest in Your Employees

High-trust workplaces foster holistic development and employee well-being in their teams and members. When growing talent inside the business, they employ a development attitude, providing chances for managers and direct reports to meet and discuss whole-person growth, which includes both a professional and personal emphasis. 

Organisations that invest in their employees are more likely to retain talent and improve engagement. This can include employee wellness initiative, financial well-being programs, and fun wellness activities. 

Conclusion

Teamwork flourishes when members trust each other to deliver and match their contributions with quality and excitement. When there is trust at work, everyone always relies on others to provide consistent efforts and solid outcomes.

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This month we are focusing on food and how it affects your mental health. Join us as we bring in the most relevant interesting content from across the wellness segment.

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