Are flexible work arrangements important to you?

Wow, what a year it has been!

Who would have thought that 2020 would: force us to embrace working from home and become pros at virtual meetings, encourage us to explore every nook and cranny of our immediate surroundings like never before, and let’s not forget the challenges of mask selection.

No matter what your experience has been, or the challenges you have faced and have had to overcome, there is little doubt that we have all had to adapt. At the same time, you will no doubt have formed an opinion as to how well your current employer has also adapted, or not as the case may be…

How brokers have adapted

We work with a large number of Melbourne-based brokerages, from the boutique specialists through to the global players, and our observations are that the majority have responded really well to the landscape in which they have had to operate.

There were some firms already on the front foot in regard to remote working giving them a relatively straightforward adapting journey. Kudos to them for not requiring a global pandemic to consider the potential advantages of flexible work arrangements.

At the other end of the spectrum, there remained a large number of traditional style brokerages that have never entertained home-based working arrangements.

It has been pleasing to see that some of these have realised that with the right team, systems and processes in place, they can maintain strong rates of client retention, continue to win new business. Their staff also seem happier with greater flexibility over how and when they work. As a side note, these also happen to be the types of brokerages that have employee welfare as a key focus. They have consistently ensured that their team is going ok, have felt supported and appreciated.

Sadly however, there are still quite a large number of brokerages that have really resisted WFH, and can’t get their people back into the office quick enough. Why is this? Feedback from candidates within these businesses suggests that they also happen to be the sorts of brokerages where the question of TRUST comes into play. It’s disappointing to see their fears over declining engagement and productivity become self fulling prophecies.

As a recruiter, it is clear to me that employment must be viewed as a two way street: the “I’ll do right by you if you do right by me” mentality. When employers care about their staff’s personal and developmental needs, wants and expectations, employees are committed to their business objectives.

So why are we telling you this?

Through the many many conversations we have had since March, with both clients and candidates, we have absolute confidence that flexible working arrangements can work. There is no reason why the same rules that apply in the office can’t apply in a remote setting through the provision of clearly defined objectives and targets, and providing the tools and support to achieve those objectives. Regardless of whether you are in the office or not, the results should and will speak for themselves.

Accordingly, for those of you with employers that have embraced WFH, we hope you are enjoying the benefits of a flexible work arrangement.

For those of you that don’t, remember that not every workplace is the same and that you have a choice. Find an employer that trusts you. Find an employer that respects you.

Have confidence that demand for quality broking talent remains strong. If you are not trusted to be the broking professional that you are, then let’s have a chat about the brokerages that tick all your boxes and not just the “have a job”.

Lawson Delaney is a leading executive search and professional recruitment firm based in Melbourne. We specialise in recruiting CEOs and leadership teams, and accountants of all seniorities for Accounting firms. Contact us on 03 9946 7300 or support@lawsondelaney.com.au to learn more about how we can assist you with a vacancy or new role today.