Workplace change does not simply occur overnight. The change that you seek from your employers and place of work might not be in the best interest of the company, or for your colleagues. With this being said, some proposals may be well thought through, discussed and delivered to employers and HR, leading to positive change and job satisfaction amongst employees within the company.
If you have an idea to propose to your employers, whether it be your working locations or ideas for running the company effectively, it is important to take much care and consideration before rushing into a proposal meeting. A reputable business would want to hear desired improvements from its staff in hopes that it improves job satisfaction and employee morale, however not all points are communicated effectively. The key is to get it right the first time and have a community to back up your suggestions in hopes that actionable change occurs. In this blog post, we will share exactly how to propose workplace change to your employers and the correct steps to take for your message to be received and considered. Take a look at the following suggestions.
Consult with peers about your ideas
First things first, it is important to consider the best interest of not just yourself but also those that you work with. Your colleagues and team members may share options and similar concerns to yourself, which solidifies the need for change and revision within the company. Ask a group of your colleagues to come together to discuss any ideas that they may have for change. A ‘blue skies thinking’ exercise would be a good place to start. Share your concerns first of all, and then begin to brainstorm realistic solutions that could be implemented by the company that you work for. This will allow everyone the opportunity to have their say, and to whittle down your suggestions to ensure that the result is something that everyone is happy with.
Make sure your change will offer a solution
During your group discussion, make sure that each suggestion that you are making is offering a solution to an ongoing problem. For example, if you are asking for funding for new office equipment, make sure that there is evidence of the current equipment getting in the way of optimal performance. List all of the points, for example, old equipment may put the business at risk of having cyber security breaches and being subjected to internet scams. Ultimately, your employers will want any suggestion of change to not only help you but also improve the productivity and output of their staff members.
Go into detail about the timeline of change
When making your recommendations for workplace change, curate a timeline of when the change will be implemented, and an estimate of how long it will take for things to improve once implemented. Your employers will need to consider the short-term and long-term implications of making this change. For example, if staff are asking for flexible working hours to suit their daily routines, it may be viable in the short term, however, in the long term, your employers will have to prepare if some staff members leave and they are left with a smaller team. Having staff in the office during this circumstance will be in their best interest with limited staff. Consider the timeline of each change you are proposing to implement, and consider the change that will happen following each.
Put your proposals into a document for your employers
Now you have your workplace change whittled down into an organised plan worth considering, lay it all out into a document so your employees have a hard copy. Organisation and evidence are what your employers need to see before considering any form of change. Create some hard copies to hand over to your employers during your proposal so they can go away and have the points you have made right in front of them. Leaving little room for interpretation is key, and the hard evidence of positive change will support your case.
Arrange for a meeting with your employers
Proposing workplace change is best done during a face-to-face meeting. Forget long and tiresome emails, expressing your point face to face will allow you to reflect on why this change is important for you and other staff members. Ask for a meeting at a time that is convenient for them, and give them a brief introduction as to what the meeting will entail.
Be open-minded about adjustments
Keep in mind that your employer will likely have some concerns about the points you raise. Ultimately if it will cost them money, or the result of this change is not certain, their judgement will be subjective which is understandable. Allow them to make their arguments against your proposed change, but just be prepared to offer a response to further support your argument. If adjustments need to be made, be open to them. An agreement between you and your employer must benefit both parties in some way. Allow them time to go away and discuss this change with other stakeholders, and cross your fingers!
Bottom line
Proposing change in your workplace is not for the weak, but if you can muster up the confidence to propose positive change, your co-workers will recognize your leadership. Be sure to only propose a change that will enhance productivity in some way, and be open to adjustments that your employers may make. Be bold, and be the change you want to see!
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