Should your company offer a more flexible schedule?
By Kristen Kelly, HR Specialist
Many employers have taken notice that employees today are requesting flexible work options more often. Whether it’s telecommuting, a flexible work schedule, a shortened work week, or some other flexible arrangement, these types of benefits are becoming more and more common. When employers are trying to decide if these arrangements would work with their company they need to look at all the advantages and disadvantages to offering flexible work options for employees.
Advantages of Flexible Work Schedules for Employees
- Increased feeling of personal control over schedule and work environment. One reason people like to work for themselves is the control issue. By allowing employees to determine their own schedule and work environment, you appeal to the entrepreneurial spirit. This can be as good for you as it is for your employees.
- Reduces employee burnout due to overload. Flexibility will allow employees to take a break when needed.
- Allows people to work when they accomplish most, feel freshest, and enjoy working. Some employees consider themselves early birds and are more productive in the morning versus employees who are night owls and thrive late at night.
Disadvantages of Flexible Schedules for Employees
- Employees who thrive in an office environment may find it difficult to work when his colleagues don’t hold the same schedule. To help this situation, employers may want to require core days and hours during which everyone is required to be in the office.
- Sometimes there is no clear delineation between work and home. When companies use flexible schedules sometimes that means work all of the time. For example, if your boss allows you to leave work early one day to attend your child’s soccer then your boss may not feel so bad calling you at 9:30 pm on another day.
Stay tuned to our blog for more on how flexible schedules can be an advantage/disadvantage for employers.