Designing Flexible working environment
Introduction
With the dramatic growth in technology and the ever-evolving demands of the workplace, employee workloads, and personal obligations that employees have, it has become increasingly important for organizations to embrace the concept of flexible working to accommodate the changing needs of the workforce. Flexible working is an opportunity to re-balance an employee’s work life in ways that both support the goals of the company and meet the individual needs of the employee. Flexible working can be defined as “the right of employees to arrange their working schedules, including working times, break times and work locations, with the employers approval”. The aim of this paper is to discuss flexible working arrangements, their impact on employee performance, their potential benefits to the company, and the challenges faced when implementing such a program.
Types of flexible working arrangements
Flexible working arrangements can take many forms, from longer stretches of flexible hours to assignment-based and part-time employment. Some of the most commonly used forms of flexible working include job sharing, compressed workweeks, telecommuting, alternative workplace arrangements, and part-time work.
Job sharing: Job sharing involves two or more employees performing the same duties for a single full-time worker. The job sharing arrangement typically allows employees to each take a set number of days per week or month to work, providing greater flexibility in scheduling and enabling employees to provide and receive assistance more freely.
Compressed work weeks: Compressed work weeks involve certain days when all employees are expected to be present in the office and certain days when employees are allowed to work from alternative locations. This arrangement enables employees to complete their work in fewer workdays, without reducing the number of hours worked, providing a greater potential for cost savings and increased productivity.
Telecommuting: Telecommuting is a type of flexible work arrangement that allows employees to work part or all of their hours away from the office. Telecommuting offers the employee more freedom and autonomy and can reduce travel times and other expenses.
Alternative workplace arrangements: Alternative workplace arrangements, such as shared or hot-desking, allow employees to work from a variety of locations and in a variety of settings. This offers employees greater freedom and autonomy, as well as the potential for increased collaboration and creativity.
Part-time work: This type of flexible work arrangement allows employees to work a reduced number of hours. Part-time work can provide employees with the opportunity to balance their work and home life, as well as accommodate changes in workload or lifestyle.
Benefits of flexible working
Flexible working can be beneficial to both the employee and the employer. For the employee, flexible working can provide greater autonomy and control over their own work/life balance, and can also provide employees with greater job satisfaction and loyalty to their employer. For the employer, flexible working can improve recruitment and retention, reduce absenteeism, increase job satisfaction and productivity, and improve morale.
Challenges associated with implementing a flexible working environment
Nevertheless, there are several challenges to be aware of when implementing a flexible working environment. Managers may not be comfortable with the potential lack of direct supervision over employees. There may also be difficulties determining the appropriate use of flexible working hours and determining which team members can work the most flexible schedule. Lastly, the success of a flexible work program requires a strong framework and clear communication about expectations and goals.
Conclusion
Flexible working is becoming an increasingly important workplace strategy as organizations strive to accommodate the changing needs of their employees. Flexible working arrangements can be beneficial to both the employee and the employer, providing employees with greater autonomy and control over their work/life balance and allowing employers to improve recruitment and retention, reduce absenteeism and increase job satisfaction and productivity. Implementing a flexible working environment requires taking into consideration the challenges associated with the lack of direct supervision over employees, determining the appropriate use of flexible working hours, and ensuring strong communication about expectations and goals. With careful planning and implementation, flexible working can yield success for both the employee and the employer.
