When looking through job postings, you may run across some that offer a "flexible work policy," but what does this mean?
It's being able to work wherever and whenever you want, regardless of the company's location. It's a fantastic benefit, and if you're used to a traditional work environment, you're probably wondering how it works.
Antidote 71 offers a flexible work policy to all full-time employees and unlimited PTO. This concept can be confusing to those who have never experienced it, so I am sharing my experience with this benefit.
How We Use it
The flexible work policy allows us as employees to work from almost anywhere, including from home. While most of us aren't fully remote, we still utilize this policy to work from home when needed.
Many of us use this policy to avoid bad weather, care for sick loved ones or even take a day to ourselves. It allows us to manage what we need without worrying about using a set number of sick or "home" days. I'm barely scratching the surface of what we can do with this policy, and many of us get creative with it.
For example, if you're feeling stuffy in the office, you could walk to a nearby coffee shop and work there. Several people have done this, and it's a great way to stay productive and happy.
If you give someone a heads-up and don't abuse the policy, we're free to utilize it to its fullest, whether in a short-term instance or, in my case, something more long-term.
How I've Benefitted Personally
Recently, my wife and I decided to make a significant life change with her pursuing travel nursing contracts, three months at a time. If I worked at almost any other company, I'd be nervous to talk to leadership about such a shift. Thankfully, Antidote 71 has a policy in place for long-term moves just like mine, and we were able to work it out.
The flexible work policy is very adaptable to us as employees. As I write this, I'm in a different state and time zone, still able to work at a job I enjoy with people who care. Putting trust in us as employees and our abilities helps drive our success.
It's nice to be a part of a culture where your work-life balance is prioritized and encouraged. When you work at Antidote 71, you are encouraged to take vacations and work where you're comfortable.
Things to Look Out For
As someone who has significantly benefited from a flexible work environment, I encourage working somewhere with the same benefit. It's important to note that a great culture is needed for the policy to work well, and some companies may take advantage of their employees.
There are horror stories of companies offering unlimited PTO and a flexible work environment. At some larger companies and ones with toxic cultures, unlimited PTO is viewed as less vacation time than the standard allocated two weeks. This is because employees won't be encouraged to take this time off and are told it will put them behind other employees.
At Antidote 71, we're encouraged to take time off when we need it. It's the only company I've ever worked for that encourages you to take a vacation, especially if it's been a while since you last took one.
Final Thoughts
If you're looking for an opportunity to experience a flexible work environment, we are hiring at the time of writing this. Check out what positions are available here, and if you have any questions, feel free to reach out.
To learn more about our work culture, check out our podcast. You'll enjoy episodes that discuss the Antidote 71 culture and gather advice about red flags to watch for as you seek flexible workplaces for yourself.
