Wipfli Work-Life Balance & Wellbeing

Wipfli understands we all come to the table with different backgrounds and home lives. If people can’t work the same hours as their colleagues, they can still make a big contribution. I bring up the Alternative Work Arrangement option quite a bit when I hear people are struggling. The arrangements are the firm saying, ‘we don’t want to lose you.’

As leaders, it’s important to recognize that sway is good for business. It drives higher team member engagement, which drives higher client satisfaction over the long haul. I empower my teams to engage in the pursuits that are important to them, but they acknowledge that sway can’t come at the expense of our ability to deliver on our mission for our clients.

Some weeks and some months will be more heavily weighted toward being heads down and achieving professionally. Then there are times when we are more available for things outside of work. It’s allowing ourselves to sway back and forth without constantly feeling like we are short-changing other aspects of ourselves that are important.

What does flexibility in the workplace look like for you?

As a member of the business development team at Wipfli, I report to the local office here in Chicago, however, I am listed as a remote employee. This provides the flexibility to collaborate while in the office, as well as travel to conferences or client and prospect meetings when needed. When internal calls are scheduled, employees always have the option to attend live or via teams. The organization has also implemented a “meeting-free Wednesdays” policy, where employees are encouraged to avoid scheduling to enhance productivity.

Why is flexibility an important element of your company’s culture?

Wipfli truly cares about the well-being of their employees and one way that is demonstrated is through allowing for a flexible work schedule. Oftentimes personal obligations come up, whether that be attending a doctor’s appointment or even needing to be home to tend to a pet. Leadership is very adamant in understanding everyday needs and trusting employees to start their day earlier or end later, as long as the work gets done.

What tools or meeting structures ensure that a flexible work setup works for everyone?

Outside of “meeting-free Wednesdays” and having the opportunity to attend calls in person or virtually, Wipfli encourages employees to work in the office but does not institute a firm policy around assigned days. This allows employees to work from home or in the office at their discretion. That said, lunch is typically catered in the office on Tuesdays, so that is always a good opportunity to socialize with coworkers. One additional aspect I really value is an internal mailing list that keeps employees informed about casual happy hours and other fun gatherings!