Be open to customization
De eerste tip voor modern werkgeverschap is maatwerk. Bij modern werkgeverschap ga je uit van de behoeften van het individu, en kijk je niet naar je werknemers als homogene groep. Dat betekent, dat er afspraken moeten worden gemaakt die passend zijn voor de werknemer. Combineert iemand mantelzorg met werk? Overleg dan samen hoe dit het beste kan gecombineerd kan worden. Zo voorkom je overbelasting. Dat geldt bijvoorbeeld ook voor werknemers die behoefte hebben aan een prikkelarme werkomgeving. Bied ze de kans om thuis te werken of richt een passende werkplek in. Heb je werknemers die graag vanuit het buitenland willen werken? Ga met elkaar in gesprek en bespreek hoe dit praktisch kan worden ingevuld: vaak heeft een werknemer al heel goed nagedacht over hoe hij of zij goed werk kan blijven leveren.
Dare to be open
The second tip for modern employers is about transparency. Modern employer practices rely on openness and communication. That means that not only should your employees be able to speak up about what they are satisfied with and what they would like to change, but you should too. Your understanding of employees can only exist if they can also bring themselves to understand the employer's position. You create that understanding by being open about how your business is run. Tell what is going well and what you are worried about, share your plans for the future, and ask for feedback. If employees know what is going on, they can better put certain actions and reactions into context.
Make your expectations clear
De third tip is expectation management. Modern employer practices can only be facilitated if the trust on which collaboration is based is not betrayed. There is indeed much more freedom in the way employees may carry out their work, but it must be clear at all times what is expected of employees. The freedom offered must not come at the expense of the results. So make employees jointly responsible for the outcome, and also point out that responsibility to them. Also be willing to revise commitments if it turns out that certain agreements do not lead to the desired results.
Do not confuse modern employer practices with corporate culture
The fourth tip for modern employer practices is to keep paying attention to your company culture. Many companies think that by introducing, for example, partial remote working, 'workcations' and an unlimited number of vacation days they have laid a good foundation for a healthy company culture. That is a misconception. Especially in modern employer practices, where the wishes of the individual are central, you need to be alert to the sense of connection among employees. It is therefore all the more important to invest in the company culture and to make clear agreements about the way employees interact with each other and with customers. It is also very important that everyone is aware of the direction your company wants to take, and the steps needed to make that happen. This way you ensure that your employees not only appreciate your modern employer practices, but also the brand or product they work for.
