Building the Next Generation of Innovators and Thinkers
When the next generation of innovators and thinkers have ideas to make our team stronger, we listen. This spring, we partnered with five students from Calvin University on their capstone project. In late April, the students presented an executive recommendation and toolkit to implement a remote work policy for our business teams. Their recommendation placed an emphasis on policy, productivity and psychology.
Key findings included:
- Employees who feel their voice is heard are 4.6 times more likely to feel empowered to perform their best work
- Trust in the workplace, especially when virtual, increases speed and efficiency and, ultimately, performance
- When working remotely, employees should be provided with the technological infrastructure they need to prevent burnout, frustration and lost productivity
The students emphasized it is crucial to convey the benefits of remote work, create guidelines around eligibility and establish remote work communication standards. Equipping employees with the technology infrastructure they need creates an effective home office environment.
“Remote work should be carefully considered; it has the potential to increase employee engagement,” said Dave Schoonbeck, chief operating officer. “Yet, managers and leaders must cultivate a trusting, inclusive environment for their team members to contribute and collaborate virtually.”
“We value having a work/life balance and are constantly monitoring for solutions to meet that commitment. Remote work enables both employees and managers to preserve wellness for team members,” said Mindy Curtiss, human resources director.
“The talent war never stops. In fact, 68% of millennial job seekers are more interested in a company that offers the ability to work remotely. The Calvin University students delivered a comprehensive recommendation that spurred conversation on our team and that will help us evolve our workforce policies,” added Schoonbeck.
Thank you for your hard work and insights, Knights! We wish you the best of luck in your future endeavors.
