Flexible work schedules are awesome – and I hear a roaring cheer from my readers (albeit through the internet.) The alternative, traditional 9-5, 40 hours a week is getting a lot for us, and honestly, we’re all past that now. Did you know there are so many benefits to this concept?
There may be a few changes to the patterns, hours, and location of work, but this type of work schedule promotes employee well-being. There are many aspects, but the crux of the matter is – flexible work schedules.
Specifically for industries where creativity and innovation are central, flexible work schedules are the way to go. It keeps the employees mentally fit and basically happy and motivated. This allows them to work well and stay productive.
The following sections will explore the different ways flexible work schedules help improve work – its overall quality and quantity.
Idea of Flexible Work Schedules | Why is it a Big Deal?
The flexible work schedule includes an agreement between an employee and the employer, wherein ad-hoc work schedules will be welcomed. Flexible work schedules are necessary for an employer to take care of their employees’ well-being.
As an employer, the main motive is to get a high-quality output from your employees. How do you do it without pushing their limits? Offer flexibility.
This does not keep them restricted and allows them to stay productive. The primary requirement of a corporation is to have a healthy balance between restrictions and freedom. On the other hand, an imbalance is often seen in a few settings.
Seen as a part of critical incident stress management, flex schedules are a great way to prevent severe burnout in employees. The pressure in the various corporate settings can be easily managed with a few steps that employers take – one of them being this concept.
It is also a useful tool to keep their employees in top shape – from efficiency, physical, mental, and emotional health perspectives. Flexible work schedules are not a way through which employees do not work, on the contrary, it is an essential part of their productivity.
This also serves the employer as they do not have to work with a limited workforce – their employees can provide support from anywhere permissible. See it as a win-win situation. Where employees do not spend their time away from the office in guilt and the employer is sure about the delivery of services.
This customized work schedule allows the regular jobs to enjoy the title of flex jobs, making it lucrative for the current generation. This is great for employers as they can make the most of this exposure by shortlisting potential candidates for respective positions.
Different Types of Flexible Work Schedules in Corporate
No matter if you are working remotely or want the flexibility of working over the weekends, flexible work schedules make it happen. These can be set up in collaboration with human resources to find a schedule that fits various needs. The following are some of the flexible work schedule ideas.
The following list contains the various types of flexible work schedules that can work for you and your employer for a productive work schedule:
Customized Work Hours
The quintessential flexible work schedules that rule the corporate world are customized and allow employees to practice flexibility. This is when an employee can customize their operational hours within their workday. These work hours allow them to function best when they’re productive – boosting output.
Such flexibility in work schedules allows employees to stay ahead of their schedule and perform well. That’s all that matters in the corporate sector – this is what keeps the business running.
For instance, some team members may perform better at night while some may feel more productive during the day. A flexible work schedule allows you to maintain a work-life balance – mandatory for a healthy lifestyle.
Alternative Work Schedule
This is a helpful schedule for employees who need more time to devote their time during the work week. This comes in handy for those who are taking care of the elderly, children, or those who are working part-time.
Such individuals may find traditional work schedules restrictive as there are other commitments they are bound to. This requires analysis and prioritization of commitments so there is no mistake on the employee’s end.
Such alternative schedules allow the employees to fulfill their professional commitments by working at the most suitable time.
Alternatives include – night shift, second shift, or working on the weekend.
Telecommuting
This is an interesting part of flexible work schedules that includes working with communication devices such as computers or laptops to overcome limitations of time and place.
It is a helpful practice that permits remote work for employees by preventing unavailability for vital or normal tasks. This is a type of flexplace practice wherein the employee may even work from the office – if they choose to.
Snowbird Flexplace
This flexible working program allows employees to transfer to warmer regions when winters arrive. This type of flexible work schedule is relevant for people living in regions that experience extreme temperatures – be it summer or winter.
An interesting incident of the Snowbird program being implemented was when CVS – the retail chain – allowed pharmacists to work from Florida during winters. This helps attract a huge labor force – especially in the telemarketing and communication roles.
Remote Working
This flexible arrangement allows employees to work completely away from the office temporarily or at least for a fixed duration. This is a great opportunity for employees to work from anywhere in the world while also delivering the work.
Offering remote working can help you find highly skilled candidates worldwide as it only requires strong and effective communication. Both of which are possible through video conferencing channels and applications.
Part-time Position
First, of the flexible work schedules – part-time work schedules are great for students or individuals who cannot devote their entire time to corporate. Part-time concept is prevalent in various sectors, especially food, beverage, and hospitality.
This is a flexible and low workload concept that does not burden the employee to work as much as their colleagues. If your team comprises full-time workers as well, you will be required to work half of these counterparts.
Part-time employees also work fewer days or hours and have the freedom to pursue other endeavors.
Top 6 Benefits of Flexible Work Schedules
If you’re asking about the benefits of flexible work schedules, chances are you’re not from the ‘hood of corporate. This is a much-needed practice that has only recently been brought to the employer’s attention, especially after the pandemic.
Ever since the pandemic, more companies have been offering remote work or even flexible work schedules that allow their employees to stay productive while also tending to other areas of their lives.
So, if you’re a rookie in this area, here are some of the benefits:
Better work life balance
From the employee’s perspective, work life balance improves with the help of flexible work schedules. The work of such schedules is to restore the optimal balance between working and non-working hours.
This is especially useful for those who want to break free from the restrictive traditional work hours. Your team enjoys a better balance that allows them to pursue their interests/fulfill responsibilities and deliver their professional commitments.
Flexibility to work elsewhere
This is a great opportunity for those keen on following a digital nomad lifestyle. This helps them be professionally present from anywhere – giving them freedom from on-location positions.
Improved morale
Employee morale is an important aspect of workplace well-being that is often neglected in the pursuit of quantitative work. When employees are allowed to work through flexible working arrangements, they are more likely to feel motivated to work. There will be fewer negative feelings towards their work, meaning they are better engaged.
As you prioritize employee convenience, there is a boost in environments free from overwhelming situations or unnecessary interferences.
Increases workforce
When you offer flexible work schedules, you are increasing the strength of your workforce, meaning your employee resources will be adept at handling the workload. This is a lucrative option for those who look for flex jobs, thereby pushing your talent pool to newer horizons – literally so.
This is inherently one of the advantages of flexible work schedules for employers, which can go both ways. Employees can work with companies that
You get access to a diverse workforce thereby showcasing equity in opportunities – it screams there is no disparity on any grounds. This is useful in the current sensitive scenario as society is trying to overcome some of its traditional, limiting beliefs.
Transparency
This is another one of the essential aspects of a healthy corporate environment that is brought about by flexible work schedules. that is also great for keeping track of employee attendance, productivity, or work hours.
When employees know the monitoring, it leads to higher productivity and lower absenteeism. This gives them a sense of responsibility that makes them better employees – those who are diligent and hardworking while prioritizing their well-being.
When this happens, you are better equipped to become productive and take leaves to restore lost energy.
Employee retention
This comes as a given where the employees become loyal towards the workplace as they see nothing wrong in its working. They can see that employers are favoring employee’s health and catering to their well-being which helps retain talented individuals.
Systems like part-time jobs offer great flexibility to the employees. When these flexible work schedules become common, employees are more likely to see contentment.
All of these contribute to the continued motivation and zeal to perform well at work, which is great for the employers and the company’s overall success.
Disadvantages of Flexible Work Schedules
Despite all the perks for employees and employers, there are ways in which this flexibility can be detrimental. Here’s a look:
- A lack of structure can cause inconsistency in routine which can have negative effects. Without the structure of an in-office schedule, employees can struggle with time management.
- Flexible work arrangements may not always come with high pay or equal pay as in-office work
- Flexible working hours are often misinterpreted as extra time for employees. This can lead to overworking
These disadvantages are grounds for legal consequences for both employer and employee.
Legal And Compliance Issues With Flexible Work Schedules
Another one of the major downsides of flexible work schedules is legal and compliance issues that employers risk facing. This is majorly due to the lack of proper planning that affects the implementation.
Moreover, improper knowledge about the system and lack of training at the employer level can lead to discrimination in the workplace.
A few examples are:
- Unequal employment opportunity compliance is where certain groups do not receive the opportunity to work in a flexible work schedule. This displays gender discrimination that projects the employer’s or manager’s prejudice against that group.
- Flexible work schedule also introduces non-adherence to labor law where employees are not properly compensated for overtime. As per labor laws across countries, employee rights should be respected by the employer when designing a schedule with this approach.
Avoiding legal and compliance issues requires employers to maintain an open channel of communication. One that keeps the employees aware of their duties, rights, and applicable laws to ensure proper compliance with flexible work policies.
Wrapping It Up!
That was all about flexible work schedules and how it makes a difference in the productivity of employees. The corporate sector has been leaning towards productivity by ignoring the factors that boost it – employee wellbeing, for one. This is what flexible work schedules solve.
The restoration of employee well-being and taking care of their health and well-being is what comprises a healthy workplace that sees the growth of talented employees. Flexible schedules are a part of all the steps that the employer can take to promote an employee-driven work culture that does not hurt their business!
Are your employers jumping on the bandwagon?
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