What is the new way of working?
The new way of working is the term for developing other ways of working. The new way of working, also known as HNW, is a term that was introduced by Bill Gates in 2005 in his whitepaper ‘The New World of Work’. In it, Gates outlines several changes that people could expect within ten years in their work environments. As of 2022, Gates appears to have been right on several points. At its core, the new way of working is about the idea dat medewerkers zelf kunnen bepalen hoe ze werken, wanneer ze werken, waarmee ze werken, met wie ze werken en waar ze werken. The new way of working offers employees more flexibility and greater autonomy, so that they can work more effectively and efficiently.
The benefits of the new way of working
The new way of working offers many advantages to both employer and employee. The possibility of flexible working leads to more enjoyment at work. Take, for example, the freedom to organize work according to one's own judgment; it increases the motivation and productivity of employees. This results in cost savings for the employer and a reduction in absenteeism due to illness. In addition, it is also attractive to potential employees to work for an organization that offers freedom.
The new way of working in practice
What does the new way of working look like in practice? The office will likely become the meeting place for colleagues. In addition, the budget should be reviewed, where you can, for example, save on daily travel expenses or the rent of the office building. Remote working also has consequences for the recruitment process: the process becomes broader for both the recruiter and the candidate. How can you apply the new way of working to your organization? Below are some tips.
1. Planning
The transition to the new way of working requires good planning. It takes time to get the change underway and employees should therefore adjust their way of working to the new normal. Every organization sets its own pace.
You can, for example, organize mandatory workshops in which all facets of the new way of working are addressed – think here of compensation to working hours- to ease the transition within the organization.
2. Show it
Set a good example for your employees and show the benefits of the new way of working. Managers can demonstrate how they themselves apply the new way of working in practice.
3. Arrange the home workspace
When your employees do not work on site it is important that they can work in a quiet and safe environment. What resources do they need for a pleasant working environment (for example a computer or an office chair)? But also think about a work-from-home allowance. You must also take into account that the home workspace must comply with the Working Conditions Act.
