What Does Working on a Flexible Schedule Mean for Employees?
A flexible schedule allows employees to work at hours that differ from the standard starting and ending times set by the company. Especially in the case of exempt employees, these hours are typically from 8 AM to 5 PM or from 9 AM to 6 PM, and when combined, the total working hours amount to 40 hours a week. (Any scheduled work hours allow for an additional hour for lunch, whether the employee takes that time or not.)
In the past, flexibility meant that employees would work from 7 AM to 4 PM each day as an option to grant them an extra hour in the morning in exchange for losing an hour in the afternoon. However, today’s employees demand more from employers, particularly those from the millennial generation.
They are seeking different options for flexible schedules and even flexible schedules that can change based on their need for flexibility in their lives at any given time. So, for example, an employee might want a flexible work schedule, not every day but on days when they have medical appointments for their children, or when there are opportunities to help in classrooms as parents, or when attending annual medical appointments for themselves.
In non-exempt workplaces, which are often industrial, productive, warehousing, or customer-facing like retail, healthcare, grocery, and service stations, flexible scheduling depends on how much coordination is required in the work. For instance, a nurse working in the afternoon may face difficulties in exercising flexibility if they cannot find another employee to cover their shift.
Employer Expectations in a Flexible Work Environment
In all flexible schedules, employers expect full-time employees to work the required hours or more. Flexible scheduling involves either a compressed workweek or flexible start and end times. These are the most commonly used approaches.
Four-Day Workweek
In a compressed workweek, the most common flexible schedule is the four-day workweek where employees work four days at ten hours a day. (There are variations on this flexible schedule including twelve-hour workdays, but that is not advisable.) This flexible schedule allows employees to have an extra day for any activity that affords the employee more work-life balance.
In a 24/7 operation, employees might choose to take Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday, or any three days to meet their desired schedule. Employers would like to see that workstations are covered when they need to be operational while allowing employees the flexibility.
Daily Flexible Schedule
A daily flexible schedule allows employees to come to work early and leave early or stay late and arrive late or take extra time for lunch and make it up. In this schedule, employers may require employees to work during core hours, such as from 10 AM to 3 PM, for example.
Alternatively, the employer may allow a flexible schedule that becomes the employee’s regular schedule, such as working from 7 AM to 4 PM every day, for example. This type of regular schedule that deviates from standard working hours is usually agreed upon between the employee and their manager.
Workplaces
Work with the Greatest Flexibility
In workplaces with the greatest flexibility, employees come and go as they see fit. They are still responsible for completing a full job and achieving their job goals. But if they can meet those goals in 15-20 hours in the office and work remotely for the rest of the time, that’s perfectly fine for them. These opportunities increased during the coronavirus pandemic.
Making a Flexible Schedule Work
In a typical workplace, after agreeing on a compressed schedule or flexible daily schedule with the employee’s manager, the employee is expected to adhere to this schedule as their regular timetable. When an employee works hours that differ from the agreed-upon schedule, they must inform the manager so that there is accountability in the schedule.
Even in the most flexible schedule, which allows employees to come and go as they wish, or work remotely, employers must believe that the employee is spending their time wisely and meeting their goals. The quality and quantity of work should reflect the efforts put in by a full-time employee.
In a flexible work environment, trust is a significant factor. Measurable goals and clear expectations are also important so that the employer feels comfortable with the employee’s ongoing contributions.
It is also crucial for employers to recognize that exempt employees are expected to work 40 hours a week even when following a flexible schedule. This is an important point that employers need to clarify and that employees need to understand; otherwise, the break in understanding could cause tension and conflict between the employer and the employee.
To ensure these factors for employers who allow flexible schedules, a strict set of guidelines and employee training should be implemented before adopting a flexible schedule. This will limit any confusion or uneven or unfair implementation within your organization.
Summary
A flexible schedule is a benefit that employees value—especially millennial employees. The benefits of flexible scheduling, for both employers and employees, are key when implementing a flexible schedule.
Source: https://www.thebalancemoney.com/flexible-schedule-1918130
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