Flexible work is no longer something rare, the prerogative of freelancers and gig workers. More and more employers provide their employees with flexible working hours and holidays.
Flexible work is no longer a fashionable feature but simply one of the realities of our time. Working with such a flexible schedule is beneficial not only for employees but also for their employers. In other words, such a noble step toward employees is, on the other hand, a profitable tactic for employers.
Therefore, I propose to verify this fact without delay.
Flexible working is a two-way agreement between an employer and an employee. Such a flexi-time job stipulates the following points:
The employee can choose where to work.
The employee can choose a work schedule that suits them.
The employee can plan their working day as they see fit.
The employees can choose when they can take a vacation and distribute the number of vacation days specified in the contract as it suits them.
Today, such flexible work arrangements with a flexible schedule are concluded at the signing of the contract. Accordingly, both parties undertake to comply with them under the signed contract.
What parameters can flexible work include?
The concept of flexible work includes the following features:
part-time work;
work from anywhere;
combined work week, with working at the office and from home;
shortened working week or a four-day working week;
work in a completely remote team;
alternative work schedule or work in several shifts;
temporary work;
seasonal work;
work within a single project.
However, the employer can still impose certain restrictions even when providing the most flexible workplace.
For example, the employer may require the employees to work certain core hours that will overlap with the work hours of other team members for the team to attend regular work meetings or for the team members to be available to the company’s clients at particular time zones.
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The advantages of working flexible hours for the workers are clear: they can maintain a much-needed work-life balance. They receive the opportunity to plan their day rationally and find time for work and their private lives and families. Moreover, they avoid professional burnout and retain interest and passion for work.
On the other hand, there are certain benefits the employers derive from allowing their employees to work flexible hours:
Cost reduction.
Hot desk schemes, which are extremely popular these days, allow companies to save on office furnishing and equipment since the employees can use shared desks and computers on the days when they work offline. Plus, companies can increase the number of employees without increasing the office space size.
Supplying the staff with flexible work opportunities allows employers to hire professionals who would not otherwise respond to the job offer.
Staff retention.
Many employees find it convenient to work with flexible working hours. In addition, providing employees with flexible work conditions demonstrates the interest of companies in their workers and helps to keep them in the workplace.
Improving employee well-being.
Employees’ well-being and satisfaction with working conditions are vital concerns for companies because these aspects affect employee retention. And supplying employees with flexible work can benefit their sense of comfort in the workplace and reduce employee retention.
Productivity increase.
If an employee has the opportunity to work from home, they can save time on getting to work, which means they are inclined to start work earlier. What is more, many employees work harder and more efficiently, having the opportunity to work on a free schedule and maintain a work-life balance.
Engagement increase.
Engaged workers understand their role in the company and realize what and how they contribute to its success. Therefore, creating a culture of collaboration within the company that promotes employee engagement is only possible with the opportunity for the staff to empower themselves and earn the respect of the management. And one of the best ways to achieve these goals is to provide employees with flexible working hours.
Some words to conclude
I am by no means declaring that providing employees with flexible working hours will bring success and prosperity to any company. More is needed to achieve long-term and tangible success.
But flexible work today is one of the success factors that should not be neglected.
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