Flexibility in the Workplace

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What is Flexibility in the workplace ?


Flexibility in the workplace allows employers and employees to make arrangements about working conditions that suit them. This helps employees maintain a work / life balance and can help employers improve the productivity and efficiency of their business.

As long as employees are still receiving their minimum entitlements, employers and employees can negotiate ways to make their workplace more flexible. Examples include changing what hours are worked and where work is performed.
There are 2 formal ways employers and employees can make their workplace more flexible-
1.flexible working arrangements - certain employees have the right to request flexible working arrangements.

2.individual flexibility arrangements - employers and employees can negotiate to change how certain terms in an award, enterprise agreement or other registered agreement apply to them.
Source-1

What are  Flexible working arrangements ?
Requests for flexible working arrangements rules-
Some employees who’ve worked for the same employer for at least 12 months can request flexible working arrangements, such as changes to hours, patterns or locations of work.

There are rules about how to make the request and how employers should respond.

Employees covered by an award also have some extra rights when asking for flexible working arrangements.

Examples of flexible working arrangements include changes to-
hours of work (eg. changes to start and finish times)
patterns of work (eg. split shifts or job sharing)
locations of work (eg. working from home).
Source-2
What are the Advantages of Being Flexible – from the Employee’s Perspective ?
Embracing change can expand your opportunities. Today’s work environment is fluid. This means those employees who are able to adapt to shifting priorities are considered a valuable asset – above and beyond their skills and experience. Being able to adjust to shifts in organizational dynamics is necessary today.

Being flexible can help you strike work/life balance. Tele–commuting, the connected workplace and other technologies mean that the lines between work–time and personal–time have blurred. Rather than resist this change, embrace it. While you may need to be flexible and respond to emails during your evening hours, you can also use this flexibility to your advantage. Personal needs – once relegated to weekends alone – can be addressed more easily since we are always connected, in and outside of the office.

Being flexible will make you more responsive to change. The shifting dynamics of the workplace means that you need to adapt and respond to change, quickly. Resisting this can lead to undue stress. 

Advantages of Begin Flexible – from the Employer’s Perspective ?
Being flexible signals that you value diversity in the workplace. Diversification of the workplace is the new norm. Differing cultures, religions, and employee needs mean that today’s employer must accommodate diversity when it comes to working, thinking and interacting with others.

Flexibility is a good management decision. Managers need to adapt to day-to-day shifts in workplace schedules – employee personal issues, an unexpected influx of work and more. 

Being flexible is a win-win. Being flexible with your employees is good for business. It builds employee trust and commitment, helps attract and keep key talent, as well as drives everyone to find solutions that work for all those involved.


What are the Importance Of Flexibility At Work ?
Flexibility and freedom are important both for increasing employee satisfaction and reducing employee turnover.

In today’s world, high caliber clients look for a job offers which are not only favorable in terms of the pay but also in terms of advanced benefits, technical support, and the flexibility to help them achieve peak performance.

References-

* Austlii.edu.au. (2009). FAIR WORK ACT 2009 (NO. 28, 2009). [online] Available at: http://www6.austlii.edu.au/cgi-bin/viewdb/au/legis/cth/num_act/fwa2009114/.
*Source 1-www.brandongaille.com.
* Source 2 Workplace Gender Equality Agency,2015.
*Americasjobexchange.com. (2019). Diversity Recruiting | America’s Job Exchange. [online] Available at: https://www.americasjobexchange.com/employer/employer-articles/diversity-recruiting.
*Tmcnet.com. (2020). Research from Paychex on the Future of Work Shows Employees Want Greater Flexibility. [online] Available at: https://www.tmcnet.com/usubmit/2019/05/16/8956913.htm
*aashishpahwa (2019). Work Flexibility - What Is It & Why Is It Important? | Feedough. [online] Feedough. Available at: https://www.feedough.com/work-flexibility-important.


Comments

  1. Yohan MBANovember 27, 2019 at 5:36 AM

    Good article well done

    ReplyDelete
  2. Dhaupadhi WijayarathneNovember 27, 2019 at 12:19 PM

    Good article,It is the tool that use to increase productivity, job satisfaction, efficiency in the work, enhance performance & improved the quality of life.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Sameera Madhawa Thalakotune December 1, 2019 at 4:50 AM

    Flexible working is indeed more productive,Good article Thilina

    ReplyDelete
  4. Anfas Shareef December 3, 2019 at 7:54 AM

    A relatively good topic in the recent past in HR was explained in an amazing way.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Lasitha IndrapalaDecember 5, 2019 at 9:44 AM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Rasika MBA January 11, 2020 at 8:13 PM

    Employee Work methods in terms of working flexibility has been discussed in the blog.its critical when author has brought up views in perspective of employee and employer on flexible work assignments makes the blog very interesting. Enough literature has provided and agree with the author on seeing flexible arrangements will help to increase the productivity and employee retention

    ReplyDelete
  7. Sandeep WarakagodaJanuary 13, 2020 at 10:45 AM

    Flexibility is an essential fact in any organization! gained good knowledge from this blog! keep up the good work!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Dr Amila Shashanka RatnayakeJanuary 15, 2020 at 9:14 AM

    How far it is practical to have a flexible work environment in your industry? What is the evidence?

    ReplyDelete
  9. Chandana kumaraJanuary 18, 2020 at 4:48 AM

    Flexiblility is an important thing for an organization. It create and gain more productivity for the company.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Lasitha IndrapalaJanuary 18, 2020 at 9:03 AM

    a better explanation.if it is according to your workplace, I agree with your explanation. Flexibility in the workplace allows employers and employees to make arrangements about working conditions that suit them.

    ReplyDelete

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