Great employees can be hard to find, and even harder to retain. That’s how flexible working benefits employers, by creating a workplace that empowers employees, giving them the freedom to design a work-life balance that is best for them. So, how does this flexible work schedule thing work? Let’s explore.
Flexible work schedules, an overview
A flexible work schedule is an alternative to the standard 9-to-5 workday (or, as many know it, 8-to-6). This gives employees the flexibility they need to maintain a healthy work-life balance and remain in control of their schedules. Implementing a flex schedule is purely an agreement between the employee and employer and is not covered by any labor laws.
What does a flexible work schedule mean?
As a business owner, you want to hire and retain the best talent and great team members. Having control over their schedule is a benefit many candidates look for today, especially the millennial workers. However, it is important to your business’ operations and productivity that these schedule allow you to maintain your production standards. So, there are a few things to keep in mind as you consider a flexible work schedule for your team. Here are a few:
How does a flex schedule work for employers:
- You may need a full team during ‘core’ hours, say 9am-3pm or 10am-2pm. Allow the flexibility outside of those hours.
- See if there’s an opportunity to shorten the work week, with what many call four tens, which is four days, ten hours a day.
- Maintain standards and expectations. You may allow employees to come and go throughout the day, but they are still expected to produce and perform.
- Have it all in writing. Put this in the employee handbook, have them sign it, and make sure they set their schedules with their direct supervisors.
- Start slow. Don’t move the whole team into a “pick your schedule” frenzy right away. Maybe start with a Friday adjustment, or a minor 8-hour shift adjustment.
- Keep the reins tight on the “core” work hours. Don’t let them slip into coming in later or leaving earlier than core hours begin and end.
Do flexible work hours improve employee productivity?
Flexible scheduling creates happy, satisfied employees. When an employee is happy at work, they are more productive and contribute better to the team effort. They also stay on longer. Every time you have to replace an employee, productivity suffers. A flexible schedule empowers your employees and delivers real benefits.
Benefits to the employee:
- Higher morale
- Reduction in and control of child care costs
- Reduced commute times
- Better work-life balance.
How does a flex schedule work? Examples
While we recommend starting off conservatively, employers have a lot of options when it comes to offering flexible scheduling to their employees. Consider a few of these examples of flex schedule work:
- Simple time shift: Offer a core time of 10am-2pm, or 9am-3pm, and allow employees to do their 8 hours around that. For example, 6am-3pm with a lunch.
- Remote workers: A remote worker may not even be tied to specific schedules: focus on performance, not work schedules.
- Break up the week. Consider four-tens (four days, ten-hour days) or a shorter Friday (four nines and a half-day Friday).
- Absolute flexibility. Forty hours, however they want to put them in. This works for creatives and coders.
- Split Shifts: Allow them to come in for a short shift (2-6 hours), leave, then return for the rest. This works for students and parents.
Deciding When to Flex Your Schedule Muscles
Are you feeling excited to empower your team to pick their own schedules but want to make sure the business benefits? Schedule a call with us, and we’ll talk through your business model and help you identify the best flexible scheduling for your business.
Call ASCEND Business Advisory today at 888-297-3321 or set up a complimentary consultation with a business advisor.