SiteOne joins the ranks of companies that have given their workers the option of an unlimited home office without the need for supervisor approval. The working regime in the times of covid proved that it is possible to work successfully on projects, no matter where you are from. Just trust your people and respect simple rules.
“It has worked for us to leave home office decisions to the individual responsibility of those who have shown that they are responsible. Since we defined our corporate values (empathy, reliability, courage), my colleagues and colleagues in the SiteOne management have tried to they were in line with them, and the team leaders pass it on. We, as management, can provide an ideal environment. It’s up to all of us to make the others work,” thinks Jan Bezděk, SiteOne CEO.
The option of a preferential regime applies to the largest group of companies, i.e. web developers, designers and testers. Before Honzo’s decision, the rule was that everyone met in the offices three days a week (Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday). From the beginning of September, the new regime will be in place and if everything continues to work as it should, SiteOne will continue with it. “I firmly believe that we will be able to stay with these conditions,” says Honza.
Developers will have absolute peace of mind at work, so that they can fulfill client requirements as best as possible and do not waste their valuable time and energy moving to the office. The management of SiteOne does not expect anything other than compliance with simple rules, such as maintaining communication with colleagues, respect for operating rules and maximum focus on client satisfaction. At the same time, the company tries not to waste energy. It is still true that any of the employees is always welcome in the offices.
“It’s nice to try being a digital nomad for, say, two months and know that the company has my back. I wasn’t afraid that it wouldn’t work. After the mandatory six-month home office during the covid era, I had a very good idea of what awaited me. I am one of those who prefer working from the office, where I go even on days when most people stay at home office. Personal contact is important to me. Work should not be just about work, a company is mainly made up of people,” says frontend developer Jirka Cerhan , who is currently touring Norway.
“It is necessary to be consistent in reporting, handing over tasks and, in general, to be as available to colleagues as when we are in the office. Communication plays an essential role,” Jirka thinks. Sometimes, in addition to strictly factual messages, let’s try to add small talk, which normally takes place somewhere at lunch,” recommends Jiří.
We think of everyone
We are not a company that does not trust its people, on the contrary. Offices are not prisons, that’s why we meet needs across the board and whenever an employee needs to go to the office or urgently solve family matters, it’s not a problem. After all, we often work overtime because of the project, so flexibility has to work both ways. Unlimited home office is one of the other benefits. He added breakfasts at home together, reduced working hours, an unlimited company tariff or perhaps a monthly allowance for leisure activities.
We also do not forget colleagues who do not belong to the most numerous group. A home office is not ruled out for them either. You just have to agree with your supervisor. The role of Team Leaders or, for example, Project Managers is so specific that their physical presence is often needed, it mainly concerns important project and other strategic meetings.
Data from the Czech Statistical Office showed that in 2021, 60% of businesses allowed employees to work from home in part. Half of the companies communicated via online platforms, two fifths of large enterprises started using applications for online communication only because of covid.
The global pandemic has forced technology employers to let their employees work in full remote mode, and some have stayed that way. Other companies are still hesitant, even though it turns out that whether people are at home or at work doesn’t really matter. With its decision, SiteOne ranks among “home office friendly” companies and proves that it lives by its corporate values.
Source: SiteOne and CTK
Photo: SiteOne
