Flexible Work Schedules: Can it Work for Your Office?

Flexible working schedules is a topic that has attracted considerable attention in the last few years. In fact, in the US, flexible working has increased by as much as 91% over the past decade. But what is this phenomenon, and what are the advantages and disadvantages of this system?

A guide to flexible work schedules

Flexible working is a system of work that includes working from home or flexible start and end times. Flexible working serves as an alternative to the traditional 9-5 structure which used to be the norm.  There are several different types of flexitime options available, including part-time working, working from home, compressed hours, flexitime, job sharing or phased retirement.

Modern technology, changing job roles and social roles are making it more attractive and more possible to work at more unconventional hours and from locations outside of the office. As an employer or team head, you might be considering implementing flexible hours at your workplace. Here are some of the advantages and disadvantages of a flexible system.

The pros:

• Flexible working shows that companies value the needs of staff.
• Can reduce commuting times and costs for employees
• Enables employers to handle more business outside normal office hours.
• Can reduce employee turnover and increase employee morale and commitment
• Leads to increased feelings of personal control over schedule and work environment
• Reduces tardiness and absenteeism

The cons:

• Some employees may not work efficiently without supervision
• No clear delineation between work and home for employees
• Can lead to feelings of ill-will if some employees can work from home/work flexitime, but not others.
• Can lead to communication gaps

Ultimately, each business and office will have different experiences with flexible working hours and employers and managers will need to assess whether flexible working is something that will work for their business and their employees.

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