Flexible work schedules aren’t for everyone: but when they’re implemented correctly, they can maximize your employees’ productivity and motivation. With the ’traditional’ 8 AM to 5 PM not quite cutting it for everyone, there are several permutations that you and your workers might enjoy more.
After all, as the Covid-19 global pandemic showed us when we need to, we make do. Workers can still carry out a 40-hour workweek…but do those working hours all need to be at the same time and repeated in the same way daily?
Not really. And here’s why.
Letting the Data Speak About the Working Week
When you take a deeper dive into the data supporting these assumptions, it seems that people from all sides of the spectrum are largely in agreement, that:
- Flexible schedules work well for employees, with 73% of them saying it makes them feel more satisfied.
- This promoted a higher level of productivity, with fewer hours worked in longer spaces of time actually working better.
- Flexible schedules are an attractive benefit of a job, with 77% of job hunters and employees stating this is a key factor in their search and consideration to take a job.
- Flexible schedules can be a deciding factor in taking a job, with 33% of employees considering leaving if this isn’t offered.
- Flexible working fosters a better work-life balance, and that 90% of employees stand by this.
It seems that flexible schedules are the key to employee happiness, motivation and even can be a recruitment tool!
But, from knowing this knowledge to actually planning and executing it, there’s a huge gap. This is where things get complicated. But actually, once you know the options with flexible scheduling, you can plan better and keep your employees happy and productive!
Here’s everything you need to know:
Flexible Work Schedule Options
Here are a few different flexible work schedule options available, with no ‘one-size fits all’ option:
The Compressed Work Schedule
This is the most common of all flexible scheduling options, where instead of 40 hours over 5 days, employees work 10 hours over 4 days instead. This means an extra day off for employees so they can rest a little more. It also saves time on commuting and so forth.
Daily Flexible Schedule
This is, as it sounds, a much more flexible schedule: your employees could choose to –
- Arrive early and then leave earlier in the day
- Arrive later and then leave later in the day
- Take a little more time during lunch, and then make up the time they used later
Flex-time
This is the most complicated-sounding of schedules and involves a lot of employer-employee trust.
Employees can arrive and leave when they want, and the focus is shifted to how tasks are completed rather than the time that is worked. Employees are responsible for their time, and as long as they meet their goals, everything is fine.
Employees can work any hours they like, from the office or at home, as long as they are on track and on-task.
Managing Flexible Work Schedules with Automation
Sounds complicated? It can be…but luckily, there are some automated solutions to help you and your team manage their flexible working schedules.
Scheduling apps, such as Connecteam, take all of the complications and hassle out of tracking and scheduling your employees’ working hours.
It’s even more than just an employee scheduling app: with its in-app chat features, self-guided training and more, you’ll love it (and so will your employees), no matter where they are, and when they’re working.
When it comes to flexible scheduling, you’ll be able to create, assign, and deploy a range of shift options across calendar views and more. Leave a note, leave a shift to be claimed by team members – it’s totally up to you.
You can even set recurring shifts, or one-off jobs, add notes and even see all potential scheduling conflicts.
You’ll be wondering how you’ve ever managed to manage your team without it! Connecteam has a 14-day free trial and pricing starts at just $39 a month for up to 50 users), or there’s a Forever Free plan.