Benefits of Flexible Working Hours For Employers
Did you know that flexible working hours can benefit employers just as much as employees?
While there are specific workplace rules regarding flexible work arrangements for certain employees, there’s nothing stopping employers presenting this option to all their workers. Understandably, some employers are reluctant to open up flexible employment across the board, mainly out of fear of lost productivity. So, what are the advantages of flexible working hours for employers and are there any associated risks?
What Does Flexible Working Hours Mean?
Flexible working arrangements can be whatever the employer and employee want them to be. Some common scenarios include:
- Employees choose their own hours (starting later and/or finishing earlier to allow for childcare commitments).
- Job sharing, half days and other part-time options.
- Working from home to avoid a long commute and/or facilitate other life commitments.
Flexible Working Arrangement Rules
While some employers might be reluctant to offer flexible working arrangements to all their employers, the Fair Work Ombudsman has laid out some guidelines for flexible working arrangements. If your employee has been with you for at least 12 months on a permanent, or permanent part-time basis, they can request to work flexibly if they fall under one of the following categories.
- They are a parent (school aged children and younger) or a carer.
- Your employee has a disability.
- Is 55 or older.
- Is providing support to a family member because of domestic violence or they are a victim themselves.
It’s best to sit down with your employee and discuss their needs as well as yours, so you can come to a suitable arrangement. Flexible work requests can only be refused on reasonable business grounds. Learn more about flexible working arrangements from the Ombudsman.
Advantages Of Flexible Working Hours
More and more, the expectation that an employee should work 9-5, Monday to Friday seems outdated. School hours are short, both parents usually work, people become carers for relatives as life expectancy increases and commutes get longer as cities expand. Flexible working arrangements allow employees to fit their paid work around other responsibilities, reducing stress and increasing motivation.
In turn, the employer benefits from increased retention, less sick leave and an opportunity to reassess how they measure productivity.
“Flexible work demands a shift away from seeing productivity in terms of being present for fixed working hours. Companies (and managers) need to devise better measures of output: has a project been completed within schedule, did the team work well together, is the report of a high quality? These are much more effective yardsticks of success than whether staff clock in at 9am each day.” (source)
In other words, sitting at a desk for a prescribed number of hours doesn’t mean any meaningful work has been completed. Furthermore, as demand for flexibility increases and more workplaces adapt to flexible working schedules, those who don’t adapt will miss out on the best candidates.
Ultimately, flexible working hours are a great way to give your employees control over their daily schedule while still fulfilling their responsibilities to you.
If you’re considering hiring new staff, we can help. On Line Recruitment has assisted hundreds of businesses to find amazing employees. Contact us to get the ball rolling and find out just how easy it is to land outstanding candidates with On Line Recruitment.
