Flexibility in the Workplace

Figure 1:Workplace flexibility (Source: dreamstime, 2021).

Workplace flexibility allows employers and employees to enter into agreements about the working conditions that suit them. This helps employees maintain work-life balance and can help employers improve the productivity and efficiency of their business.

Flexible work emphasizes the employer's willingness to adapt to the changing needs of employees, particularly when it comes to how, when and where they work.

There are two formal ways employers and employees can make their workplace more flexible-

1. Flexible working arrangements - certain employees have the right to request flexible working arrangements.

2. Individual flexibility arrangements - employers and employees can negotiate to change how certain terms in an award, enterprise agreement or other registered agreement apply to them.

 

Flexible working arrangements?

Flexible working arrangements, known as flexible working hours, refer to the working environment and timetables that do not impose normal restrictions on the traditional workplace. this arrangement takes into account individual's personal needs and allow employees to better sync their work hours with their personal responsibilities.

 

Figure 2: Flexible work arrangements (Source: Khidhir, 2018).

Benefits of flexible work arrangements

Flexible working arrangements benefit both the employee and the employer. Employees can achieve a better work-life balance, less absenteeism and lower levels of stress. It is particularly useful for parents, students, those with a second job or those with other important commitments in life.

Employers benefit from increased motivation and productivity, lower overall costs, improved confidence and the employer-employee relationship (TalentLyft, 2021).

Five important benefits of flexible working

The fact that so many workers believe that "normal" hours are no longer suitable for their role should encourage more workers to adopt flexible working methods. But what benefits can flexible work bring?

Here are five important benefits that no employer can afford to overlook.

1.      A better work-life balance

There is no dispute about the desirability of work-life balance. Without it, health and relationships suffer, stress levels soar, and work productivity falters.

Flexible working patterns enable employees to adapt their working hours to fit their lifestyles including family needs, personal obligations and life responsibilities.

2.       Less stressful commutes

Some employers make homeworking part of their flexible working strategy. Having the freedom to work when and where you want eliminates stressful, time-consuming and expensive commutes.

Transport related problems such as traffic jams, strikes or roadworks cause some of the most frequent working day interruptions. Working flexible hours or at a location closer to home can help to minimize these disruptions, enabling employees to focus on the job in hand.

3.      Fewer childcare costs

The spiraling cost of childcare requires special attention. Without having to pay child-minders to be involved in certain activities such as the school run, flexible work legislation means childcare hours and costs are reduced.

4.      A feeling of being in control

Having greater freedom to choose their hours and where they work, flexible working can increase feelings of personal control among employees.

5.      Less stress and burnout

Stress is an insidious enemy affecting sufferers with a range of problems from sleepless nights to more serious conditions such as high blood pressure, heart conditions, diabetes, asthma and skin ailments. But it’s not just employees who suffer – stress can also affect a company’s bottom-line.

Although the workplace can be a key source of stress it is also the place where important stress-busting changes can be made. By allowing workers the freedom to manage their own working hours or location, businesses can relieve worker stress but also take an active part in making the working environment more family friendly (Talented Ladies Club, 2021).

References

dreamstime, 2021. dreamstime. [Online]
Available at: https://www.dreamstime.com/workplace-flexibility-concept-gearwheels-d-rendering-isolated-white-workplace-flexibility-gearwheels-image111310066
[Accessed 18 December 2021].

Khidhir, S., 2018. THE ASEAN POST. [Online]
Available at: https://theaseanpost.com/article/looking-flexible-work-arrangements
[Accessed 18 December 2021].

Talented Ladies Club, 2021. TALENTED LADIES CLUB. [Online]
Available at: https://www.talentedladiesclub.com/articles/five-important-benefits-of-flexible-working/
[Accessed 18 December 2021].

TalentLyft, 2021. TalentLyft. [Online]
Available at: https://www.talentlyft.com/en/resources/what-is-flexible-work-arrangements
[Accessed 18 December 2021].