This month’s theme of reflection and aiming for success continues. The last blog discussed how to make your day more successful before heading into the office. It also talked about continuing positive behavior while you’re there, even in the face of the office grouch. This time, we will discuss how having a flexible work schedule or location-based work flexibility can mean more work getting done and happy employees. While this may sound great, we will also go through some of the HR pitfalls associated with these options. Unfortunately, you won’t find any tips on how to avoid getting distracted by kids, dogs or Netflix when telecommuting!
Location-based flexibility means employees can have the option to ‘telecommute,’ or work in their dirty sweatpants at home from the comfort of their couch. More than 80 percent of workers in America would like the option to work from home at least sometimes. Employers might like this option because it means they can recruit from a wider talent pool.
Not Clicking Yet?
Schedule-based flexibility means employees will still come into the office, but it will be at various hours, as long as they meet the minimum amount. So, if someone has to work 40 hours a week, they may want to work 7-5 but get Fridays or Mondays off. Or, if someone works better in the early morning hours, they can start even earlier but get their afternoons off. Be cautious of employees who work through their break times and schedule lunches. Some state and local laws control breaks and meal times, and you may not have as much flexibility in this regard.
There is some worry in expanding flexibility programs with employers. Mainly because of the room for abuse by employees, loss of productivity and difficulties in managing employees who work out of the office or irregularly. Surprisingly, there are no guidelines on flexible work schedules under the Fair Labor Standard Act. The Department of Labor does note that some policies require someone to work a set number of hours during a pay period and be present in the office for a set period of time. If your company wants to offer flexible schedules, they should check their policies and procedures first.
Putting flexible work-time into action is desirable to potential employees – not just millennials. Parents who want to be involved in their children’s lives and attend school events will jump at the chance for a job with flexible hours.
Company expenses go down with more workers doing a location-based flexible schedule, and it is an environmentally sensitive arrangement. There are less drivers on the roads, fewer commuters, and less energy is used at offices with fewer workers showing up.
Productivity actually goes up with a more flexible work environment. Sounds crazy, right? Cisco Systems rolled out a new remote work program and found that 75 percent of their employees felt their quality of work was improved. Sixty percent reported more productivity, saying they could start work earlier and work a bit later because they saved time on their commute. A full 83 percent reported effectively communicating with team members the same as, if not better than had they been on site.
Things to Think About
Update your policies and procedures after introducing a flexible program. Establishing guidelines, such as the number of hours you expect the employee to work, a set schedule to stick to, or even specific days of the week they should be ready to come into the office can go a long way in avoiding future disagreements.
How do you want to communicate with your employees? If they are location-flexible, then you’ll need to create a consistent format of communication. Is it email, or text messages? Will you be able to have virtual meetings with them? For schedule-flexible employees, you will need to encourage a system whereby employees can communicate with each other, even if they are on different schedules. Have them keep an updated file where they can exchange notes and loop in their supervisors. Arrange in-person meetings every once in a while to address concerns or reinforce positive behavior.
Now what?
Putting a flexible schedule into place requires an equally flexible attitude with managers and business owners. If your office isn’t tech savvy enough to support remote workers or shifting schedules, it may not be a good option for you. However, given the benefits and constantly changing landscapes, it’s worth considering making the investment.
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