According to a 2004 Ceredian Corporation report , many businesses are supporting and using flexible scheduling arrangements. The University of North Texas is just one example of an academic institution that supports flexible scheduling across multiple departments.
Flexible work arrangements take different forms. Examples of flexible scheduling or work arrangements may include:
- Flex time – as in working longer hours or extra days to make up for scheduled time off.
- Flexibility in scheduling so employees work different hours on different days, like modifying hours to start earlier or later than the company's regular schedule.
- Staggering hours or scheduling work on a non-traditional schedule – the way hospitals do to make sure that patient care areas have staff on duty around the clock. Hours might be 7 AM to 3 or 4 PM, 9 AM to 6 PM, 3 PM to 11 PM or 11 PM to 7 AM.
- Compressing the work week so that employees may work three 12 hour days with four days off, or work four 10 hour days, getting three days off, or even working four 9 hour days to get 1/2 day off.
- Telecommuting where employees may have the option of working from home – some or all the time.
Job Satisfaction – an Important Factor in Employee Productivity
Intuit, creator of the small business accounting program QuickBooks, suggests that companies who invest in employee compensation packages create a win-win situation for both themselves and their employees. The obvious reason is that happy employees are more productive.
Michigan State University Distinguished Professor Ellen Ernst Kossek, writing for Forbes, is another expert who agrees that flexibility can boost employee productivity.
How Employers Benefit from Flexible Scheduling
The University of North Texas points suggests that employers may benefit more than their employees from flexible scheduling because, ultimately, the company makes money.
- Flexible scheduling results in a lower employee absentee rate – either because of personal or family health-related issues, or from having to schedule necessary appointments.
- Fewer employees leaving the company
- Company doesn't need to pay overtime or give employees comp time because of extra work.
- Employees are more productive, more loyal, happier with their job, and happier, healthier and less stressed in their personal lives.
- Employees are more willing and more capable to take the initiative or assume responsibility for doing things, just to get them done.
Companies that care enough about their employees needs and preferences to include a flexible scheduling plan into their operations, stand to gain far more than they invest. Employee happiness is a huge indicator of long-term corporate success.
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