Is a flexible work schedule right for you?
Do millennial employees fit in today’s workplace?
Are they innovative and unorthodox with an instinct for entrepreneurship?
The millennials cherish work flexibility they are more concerned with creating a life than a living. This is something greater than money. Having a flexible working schedule complements the lifestyle they crave.
What does Flexible Work Schedule Mean?
Flexible work schedules allow an individual to tailor their work arrangement to afford greater work/life balance. Balance can take the form of compressed work weeks, where workers perform overtime for a certain number of days with a day off. Workdays like this usually comprise of ten-hour workdays, Mondays to Thursdays and Fridays off.
What are the types of Flexible Work schedule?
Flexible working schedules can also be arranged daily. Instead of 9:00 am to 5:00pm, employees can clock in from 7:00 am to 3:00pm, 8:00 am to 4:00pm or even 10:00 am to 6:00pm. This enables free time for family – dropping and picking up children from school for example.
Technology has shifted the way flexible working schedules work. Persons can work from home or remotely with internet connection. Remote work involves virtual teams where employee and employer collaborate across a country, region or the globe. Employees do not commute to a central office space but may work from home, coffee shops or private offices.
What are the advantages of flexible working hours?
- Work life balance
For millennials who work but desire a sense of independence, these kinds of arrangements allow them the best of both worlds. You have increased time for personal and family responsibilities, particularly as parents or guardians. The flexibility also allows you more attention to the other areas of your life such as health, fitness and education than a traditional structure would have.
- Saves time and money
Flexible work arrangements are cost effective. With the inflation rate in Trinidad & Tobago expected to be around 3.12% in 2019, saving money is a welcomed relief. Working from home spares you the daily morning and evening rush hour traffic. This means you conserve more energy in both your body and your gas tank. For example, reporting to work for 10:00 am means less rushing and road congestion headaches.
- Reduced Stress
Less rushing equals less stress. Customising your working hours enables you to work at your peak productive times. If you are an early bird, you can begin your day comfortably at 7:00am. Alternatively, you can choose after lunch if evenings are your peak productive time.
- Increased Productivity
Perhaps the greatest benefit to both employees and employers is that flexible work arrangements increase productivity. There is no micromanaging, office politics and greater autonomy that empowers individuals to produce their best for a company. For example, a study conducted by Leadership IQ found that 87% of persons who worked from home reported that they loved their jobs. As such, there is reduced employee turnover and absenteeism but greater morale and job satisfaction.
What are the disadvantages of flexible working hours?
- Trust Factor
Job satisfaction through flexible schedules can sound very romantic but there are the drawbacks to it. Flexible work schedules provide more time and freedom. However, with greater freedom comes greater responsibility. Your employer is trusting, so abide by the set days of the week to work. Do not abuse this. Uphold your agreed departure time during workdays.
- Accountability
If you are working remotely, demonstrate the discipline to log on at the designated hour for work. Be accessible when you need to be and get your tasks completed to prove you have the work ethic to work remotely yet maintain a high productivity.
You may get tempted to procrastinate or take a break to run a quick errand. However, keep in mind that flexible work arrangements are not a luxury, it is a personal responsibility.
- Loss of Team Spirit
You are part of the team within your company, but you may be remote or working different time frames. You can lose that team spirit if you are often by yourself or working different hours. Interactions with co-workers may be limited and team communication can be compromised.
- Setting Boundaries for Your Loved Ones
Additionally, flexible work hours for your family and friends may translate into ‘you are not working hard’ or they may assume you are home and therefore accessible throughout the day. Establish strict boundaries when you are working remotely, and make it clear that despite being home, you have work responsibilities to take care of.
Jobs that Disable Flexibility
For certain occupations, work must take place on the company premises for a certain designated time. For example, teachers, medical professionals, customer-facing and essential staff. Therefore, persons to whom the company depends on for survival would have a tough time getting flexible arrangements. These jobs cannot be done remotely because at any given time, someone must be present to serve a client, patient or student.
Marketing, Research, Consultancy, Graphic Design and Information Technology are typically careers that could include flexible working arrangements.
How to Ask Your Employer for a Flexible Schedule
If you are in a career than can facilitate flexible working, you need to remember it is always important to document and have these agreements in writing.
You must present a written business case to outline important reasons for a flexible work hour which could be:
• Spending more time with your new-born baby
• To accommodate school
• To accommodate important family or community obligations
• To reduce stress (as recommended by a doctor)
Your business case should detail work hours, how you will manage productivity, communication with your colleagues and how this work arrangement will benefit the employer. Within your business case, you must also clearly emphasise your work history, credentials and achievements to convince your boss that you are mature, capable and can be trusted to contribute to the organisation through a flexible workday.
