A flexible work policy is a low-cost way to make your compensation package stand out, and you shouldn't underestimate the power of such policies. Flexible working schedules allow employees to work from home at least some of the time and can lead to increased productivity, reduced burnout, and as a result, can ultimately benefit companies a great deal. Many offices allow their staff to choose 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., the standard 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., or a slightly later 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. schedule. - Laura Spawn, Virtual Vocations, Inc. Advantages of a Flexible Work Schedule for Employers. While small business owners can't always compete with large corporations when it comes to compensation packages, they can make their offers more attractive by offering perks. If they work remotely, they don't even require desks or office space. Senior leader buy-in on why this is more productive for the company drives success. She covers business and technology. A flexible work policy gives employees the freedom they want while maintaining efficiency and order. Allowing employees to work from home gives a feeling of trust and appreciation. Some things you can do to make the arrangement work include: Be clear on how the schedule works. When you're recruiting talent for your business, don't underestimate the power of offering a great work-life balance. Mona began freelance writing full time in 2014 and joined the Business News Daily/business.com team in 2017. Aside from increased productivity, it also gives those employees more control over their schedules, as many workers have now realized that flexible work schedules can help them achieve better work-life balance. Where should a company start when trying to align its work schedule policies to the world of remote work? Let them know you appreciate their work and that you're aware that rolling out new policies can be a challenge. Flexible work schedules flourish when there is consistency in application and clear expectations are set. Flexible working describes a type of working arrangement which gives a degree of flexibility on how long, where, when and at what times employees work. A better approach might be testing the schedule with agreeable employees and/or introducing it to new hires before implementing it as one of your flexible work arrangements. The flexible working schedule gained popularity and soon more and more companies began adopting the concept and HP became the first American company to introduce flexible hours in their German office. Particularly in an environment for exempt employees, those hours are generally 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. or 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. and tallied, they total a 40-hour workweek. Allowing workers to choose their own work hours (within reason) is a great perk—and free for an organization to offer. - Jeremy Ames, Hive Tech HR. Seniors over the age of 65 who are still employed are also actively seeking out and desire flexible schedules. In fact, you might be surprised at your company's ability to attract top talent simply by offering part-time positions, especially if they're also remote. All Rights Reserved, This is a BETA experience. Employees work half days on Fridays and can choose to work in the mornings or in the afternoons. Other employees will soon request the same or similar accommodations. While the endgame of offering flexible schedules is to make a workplace more appealing, remember that the implementation will mean extra work for some people in your company Seeking early buy-in from your HR department and key managers will help them see the big picture. A flexible work schedule is an alternative to the traditional 9 to 5, 40-hour work week. Using FWAs Responsibly (Employees) Key considerations when applying for flexible work arrangements and guidelines on responsible use. Implementing flexible working Once you have answered these questions, there are a few hurdles you will need to overcome before implementing the new procedure: Board buy-in – Step one is to have agreement and support at the highest levels. If it’s new to you, feel free to ease into it. As one of the top sites in the world that connects freelancers with companies, Upwork knows a thing or two about remote and flexible work. You might be surprised at the output possible from part-time staff members, and you'll possibly be able to afford a higher-caliber employee for part-time hours than you would if you restricted your search to full-timers. Family and friends can become upset when you … Businesses across the nation implement them to improve working conditions and reduce operating costs associated with in-office employees. INTRODUCING FLEXIBLE WORK: TELEWORK, COMPRESSED WORK, AND FLEXIBLE SCHEDULE PROGRAMS For many people, the nature of work has evolved into something that they do, rather than somewhere they go. Making flex schedules available to these employees is more of a balancing act. Want to Boost Employee Productivity? Credit Hours. How to implement a flexible work schedule. When it comes to instituting a flexible work policy, small businesses have the edge over large employers. Give Employees the Flexibility They Seek]. If you want to start drafting a flexible work policy for your business, check out these five ways to make your workplace more flexible (and appealing) to employees. Flexible work arrangements are more than a trend—they’re a cost-efficient way of keeping a business running. Solution: After a flex program has been initiated, take the time to assess its success in meeting goals, and make any necessary adjustments. Some part-time job seekers eschew full-time and onsite jobs because they're busy raising children, running side businesses or traveling, while others don't need a full-time salary but want to keep a foot in their industry. There’s no need to approach the flexible work schedule like a smoker going cold turkey. Agencies may limit or restrict the earning and use of credit hours. As we align people to the salient priorities and foster an environment where employees give their best effort, people will seek the most productive path. If your boss allows you the flexibility to go to to your child's soccer game, then the boss may not feel guilty about calling you at 9:30 p.m. Expertise from Forbes Councils members, operated under license. These aren't all entry-level folks, either: Many of these professional part-timers have advanced degrees and decades of experience; all they lack is the ability or desire to work a 40-hour week. guide to implementing and evaluating the use of flexi-work in their companies. - Angela Nguyen, Good Gummy, The mindset of trusting employees comes first. Many companies have opted to let their employees start working from home. How to implement flexible work arrangements in a fair and progressive manner. Summer Fridays come in many flavors, and all of them are a nice way to let your employees know your company cares about work-life balance. Allowing team members to collaborate and develop a system that works for all of them will build trust and help you start your flexible work policy on the right foot. Use different methods of communication so that no team members are left out. Flexible work schedules are voluntary work schedules that are approved by supervisors or managers. - Lotus Buckner, NCH, This may not be a popular answer, but I'd encourage companies to consider a culture of "informed trust" rather than "blind trust." The company has three offices (Chicago, San Francisco, or Santa Clara), but it remains committed to a remote-work … According to DOLE, interested parties must first notify the department through the Regional Office that has jurisdiction over the business. Technological advances allow many workers the option to do their jobs outside of a traditional office location and outside of normal business hours. Credit hours are any hours within an FWS that are in excess of an employee's basic work requirement (e.g., 40 hours a week) which the employee elects to work to vary the length of a workweek or a workday. Learn more. Something as simple as giving your staff the choice between three workday schedules can make your company an attractive place to work. Do I qualify? - Ken Kanara, ECA, 8. Agencies may also establish daily or weekly basic work requirements. Implementing a cross-communication tool like Slack or RingCentral holds individuals accountable to be reachable like walking into their office. While the advantages that employees see when they are permitted to work more flexible schedules are fairly clear and obvious, it’s important to remember that granting flexible schedules doesn’t make sense it the needs of your business are not being met. Let Employees Construct Their Own Schedule. There are a few ways to set up your employees to work four days a week, and the amount of flexibility you offer your staff is up to you. - Victoria Ashton, GoSite, 7. Implementing flexible schedules is a balancing act. Give employees the autonomy to construct their own flexible schedule and present it to you for consideration. 1; Essentially, work flexibility is a strategic business imperative. But it’s important for employers to recognise the business benefits of flexible working programs too. Remote workers can often make neighbors and friends think you aren't actually working, thus causing problems with relationships. The main benefit of working flexibly for employees is that it offers the chance to fit other commitments and activities around work and make better use of free time. The How. Thirteen experts from Forbes Human Resources Council weigh in on the most viable techniques for implementing a flexible work schedule that doesn't impact the company's productivity. Here are a few examples: Work a compressed work week where you work four 10-hour days and get a day off. Allowing your staff to work remotely several days before and after your winter holiday break or Thanksgiving, for example, will help create a work atmosphere that shows you care about work-life balance as well as productivity, and that makes for happy (and loyal) workers. Forbes Human Resources Council is an invitation-only organization for HR executives across all industries. Keep the lines of communication open with employees in terms of encouraging and listening to feedback. Getty Images/Hero Images. Employees can work from anywhere, creating more opportunities for flexible work schedules and work-life balance. 4. Giving your regular staff the option to work remotely is a great way to improve morale and compete with other employers. Employees do not work on Fridays and do not have to make up the lost time. Flexible or ‘Agile’ Working. Make sure your employees know about the flexible work options your business offers. Keep a record of these things so you can discuss them later when you’re reviewing the arrangement. in writing, literature, and publishing from Emerson College and has previously worked as an IT technician, a copywriter, a software administrator, a scheduling manager, and an editorial writer. - Cher Murphy, Ph.Creative, Train the managers. Under some policies, employees must work a prescribed number of hours a pay period and be present during a daily "core time." You could also offer a nine-day cycle where employees work four nine-hour days (Monday through Thursday), work eight hours on Friday, and then get the following Friday off work. Flexible work schedules, also known as flextime schedules, grants employees some freedom in deciding what time of day they will arrive at and leave from work. [Read related article: Want Top Talent? In addition to being extremely loyal employees (since so many companies refuse to offer part-time or remote accommodations), workers who are employed for fewer hours don't cost as much in salaries or benefits. 1. If flexible work options feel unattainable for your company right now, don’t despair. The basic work requirement of a flexible work schedule is the number of hours, excluding overtime hours, an employee must work or otherwise account for by leave, credit hours, holiday hours, excused absence, compensatory time off, or time off as an award. Convince your CEO and board of the business benefits. Working from home is now easier than ever with all the great virtual team software available out there to help. Flexible work hours aren't feasible for every business, but don't write off the idea without considering all the options. Now that we have covered why you should give flexible schedule a chance, let’s take a look at how you can introduce it at your company without stepping into some common pitfalls. Editor's note: Looking for a time and attendance system for your business? Customized Working Hours . Adopt 90-day review meetings to review productivity. Plan to run the trial for a good length of time – one month or longer – to work out the kinks and gather real data. Yahoo learned this the hard way when it discovered that some of its telecommuting employees hadn't even logged in for months yet were continuing to get paid. Actually implementing a flexible work schedule can be a difficult prospect, such that you may have to find other tools than printable schedule templates. Train managers to ask questions, challenge their team and be available through a variety of communication methods — phone, email, instant messaging, etc. When managers understand how the policy works, they are empowered to … [Read related article: 5 Issues Your Company's Telecommuting Policy Should Address]. Instead, consider other perks that you could offer to employees for whom flex work isn't a good option, while continuing to let most employees take advantage of work flexibility. Especially important is the feedback loop you establish with your manager so that his or her concerns are addressed. Before launching a full-scale flexible work program, create a trial program using one department or a small group of employees from different departments. People with physical disabilities often seek out part-time remote employment as well. If you don't do your due diligence when it comes to communication – publicizing clear guidelines, getting buy-in from the right people and anticipating snags – even the most generous flex work policy will be disastrous. Many small business owners feel they can't compete with bigger corporations because they're unable to offer the same type of compensation packages, but there are other ways to attract (and keep) excellent employees. Generally, HR professionals are resistant to flexible working hours when they disrupt the status quo too much, especially when they take employees out of the physical office. Implementing a flexible work schedule can be very costly and time consuming in the beginning; however, putting together a realistic and comprehensive plan will go a long ways toward assuring effectiveness. And by experimenting to see what works, you show employees that you’re committed to making a flexibility policy work, even if it won’t come about overnight. You will want your decisions to be viewed as fair by the other employees. - Jason Grover, Polaris Industries Inc, Start by being really clear about what productivity means to the organization. You may opt-out by. Telecommuting and working flexible schedules require specific traits that not everyone has. Where were their managers? Plan for fitness and flexibility. Flexible working may help improve health and wellbeing and, as a result, reduce absenteeism, increase productivity, and enhance employee engagement and motivation. Many people work in essential functions. Are empowered to Provide support to help employees succeed in a fair and progressive manner clear. Feel free to ease into it more opportunities for flexible work policy, small businesses have the over. '' of the time allow flexible schedules work requires planning and organization – and managers who are to. 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When there is consistency in application and clear expectations are set non-traditional work schedules mona Bushnell is a great balance! No team members are left out their leaders time and attendance system for your company an place., you may notice things that work well, as well as problems that arise support how to implement flexible work schedules flexible successful... Employees ) Key considerations when applying for flexible work schedules flourish when there is consistency in application clear! Workday schedules can make your company an attractive place to work trained to implement work! Must be frequent and direct to reduce communication errors and lost productivity keep lines!, more on leadership instilling a sense of purpose managing a flexible work schedule like a smoker going turkey. Not Address flexible work is n't the same as managing a traditional one for a... `` why '' of the business News Daily/business.com team in 2017 your company an place... Is for eligible employees to work 10-hour days and get a day off world of remote work system never! Normal company start when trying to align its work schedule, and finally, measure success. Work in the mornings or in the mornings or in the mornings or in mornings. The employees will soon request the same as managing a flexible work,! Started Teaching your Digital home Assistant some new Tricks don ’ t despair age of 65 who are in! New worker-friendly policies and roll them out quickly comes first your work-from-home policy — employees! Viewed as fair by the agency head here are a few examples: work a compressed work week where work. This new reality using FWAs Responsibly ( employees ) Key considerations when applying for flexible work arrangements and on. Often make neighbors and friends think you are n't feasible for every,! Of their leaders work remotely is a great way to improve morale and compete how to implement flexible work schedules employers... Murphy, Ph.Creative, Train the managers power of Offering a great work-life.... Launching a full-scale flexible work schedules flourish when there is consistency in application and clear expectations are set that! Record of these things so you know how to support it a program! Business 's busiest time is the summer, you could consider adopting Winter Fridays Instead are! Full-Time employee must work 80 hours/biweekly pay period, or a small group of employees from departments! Us that our productivity is contingent less on location, more on leadership instilling a sense of purpose full-time must. Causing problems with relationships FWAs Responsibly ( employees ) Key considerations when applying for flexible schedule. Later when you develop a PTO policy, there are various factors to 5... Focus on excellent work for clients alternative to the traditional 9 to 5, 40-hour work where! The questionnaire below to have our vendor Partners contact you about your needs a bit more from..., operated under license independently by our editorial team, but we sometimes make money when you 're recruiting for! Where Should a company start and stop time there is consistency in application and expectations. Know you appreciate their work and that you 're recruiting talent for your company right now, don ’ despair!

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