PayFit, the French unicorn specializing in payroll and human resources management, has shifted its work organization model towards greater flexibility. This dynamic reinforces the objective it has set for itself: happy PayFiters, the name for its employees. The tone is set!
Prior to the health crisis, the work policy was already hybrid and employees had the option to telecommute one day a week. Despite the office closure during the lockdown, PayFit met its goals and so decided to add even more flexibility to its work organization. From now on, employees are organized on the WFA(Work From Anywhere) model and therefore have the possibility to work remotely from anywhere thanks to digital and internet, but not under any conditions.
Because "things are moving fast at PayFit", Edouard Weill, Office & Facility Manager since February 2022, explains how the startup is innovating and organizing office life by allowing its employees to work from anywhere (or almost anywhere) remotely.
On a daily basis, one of Edouard's main missions is to ensure employee satisfaction by providing the best possible service. The employee experience is very important in the company's culture, which encourages its employees, whether managers or not, to beautonomous.
PayFit is flexible and has succeeded in making the most of the Covid period, seeing it as a great opportunity for further professional development. The flexibility thus granted boosts the well-being of employees. In a snowball effect, performance and motivation are only strengthened, as Édouard explains:
"My role is to organize life at the office, making sure that all the PayFiters can live together, in a setting that encourages productivity and fulfillment. Some of them are on remote work for 100% of the time and don't spend much time in the office. But every employee is connected to his or her team, regardless of where they work. So everyone has access to the same level of information, so that they can make their workspaces their own."
The communication is homogeneous for all employees. There is no difference between those who come to the office one day a month and those who are present several days a week. Everyone has access to a good knowledge and appropriation of the company and its traditions, to ultimately live the best possible employee experience with their team.
At PayFit, employees organize their schedules with flexibility in terms of time and place of work. They can work remotely from the location of their choice (even abroad) and at the time of day when they are most productive, with the only constraint being the regulations of the different countries. This Work From Anywhere policy reflects the desire to empower all employees, regardless of their function, by engaging them in the company's culture and challenges.
"Our goal is to bring people back to experience the office. The link with the company is thus materialized by the premises, which remain the central point. Moreover, we are increasingly talking about "hubs" to designate a geographical area where the company is present and where the employee will be able to find a homogeneity in the services provided. At PayFit, these hubs embody the values and everyone has the opportunity to go there."
As Edouard explains, the company, through its four European offices, is an anchor point and a real vector of social link for the workers.
Work From Anywhere is organized in this way. The employee chooses his or her place of residence and in France, if it is outside the Île-de-France, a budget is set aside so that he or she can go to the office at least once a month: hotel, transportation, meal expenses. It's simple, everything goes through a booking platform that facilitates the WFA.
Working from any place or country is then possible. Well, not quite any country for security reasons. But PayFiters can telework for the company for up to three consecutive months abroad, for example from Europe (if agreed by the manager and the HR manager), but not more than six months in total during the year.
With this new dynamic, offices remain a place for employees to gather and socialize. They come together to work and socialize. At PayFit, there are no rules (apart from the law) when it comes to remote work. The emphasis is on management support. This high degree of flexibility can also be observed within the hubs, with a flex office operation.
The entire company has adopted this flex desk logic, i.e. not having a dedicated office for each employee, regardless of their job, except for the IT team, which has a particular material need. The hubs are divided into three zones, each with its own atmosphere, accessible to all employees:
"No matter what the mood of the day or the profile of the person, there is bound to be a space that fits everyone and where everyone can find what they want and need according to their schedule!" adds Edouard
The creation of different spaces with known and respected uses means that the flex office is well adopted internally. However, some habits are still stubborn and prevent some from playing the game 100%. To counter the routine, PayFit has set up a system that encourages its employees to rotate and meet other people at work, which includes having new neighbors:
"We struggle with habits, but it's human and it's normal. So we decided to rearrange an area every year so that the offices can live and facilitate rotations. With education and communication, even the most resistant to change are convinced."
On a more practical note, lockers are available for PayFiters to leave their belongings in. This removable locker service prevents employees from hogging a workstation in the office on a first come, first served basis. Teams are encouraged to mix and mingle and test out the different spaces.
By adopting Work From Anywhere, Payfit has met several challenges and continues to do so, as the way people work is changing rapidly. The watchword remains trust between the company and its employees, which is essential for everyone to be able to take responsibility.
The PayFiters are very happy to have the choice of where and when they work. They are proud to work for a company that dares and innovates," explains Édouard:
"PayFit is super innovative with this WFA principle that has evolved from 2019, where not many companies offered this freedom. In fact, that's still the case. What we offer is only coaching but not supervision. We want employees to be happy and fulfilled, as long as it doesn't interfere with their teamwork or personal lives."
The "come when you want" approach seems to be working internally. Transparency and trust are highly appreciated. In this very advanced way of organizing work, what could be the next step? Our discussion with Edouard ended with some new ways to extend flexibility:
These are just ideas. Innovative employers like PayFit may surprise us and set the pace for the next phase of the future of work.
To summarize, many companies are questioning the future of office life and work organization in general. A hybrid policy can take many forms, including Work From Anywhere.
At Deskare, we observe that the most important thing is often trust, transparency and listening. This is why we have co-created with the best companies, a hybrid work management platform that adapts to the needs of each individual and facilitates the creation of social links. Let's make an appointment to discuss it!
➡️ To go further: Do you know the paradox of hybrid work? Jullien Brezun, CEO of Great Place To Work, explains it right here to help you find the right balance!
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