How flexible is your company for your employees?

The new normal is Flexible working hours. Is it really great for both the employees and employers? Read the article and know about the pros and cons of flexible timing. 

Are You Getting Flexible Working Hours– Is It Really Great?

During the last two years, almost everything has changed, starting from how we work, how we lead our daily lives, and how we perform our daily chores. We missed vacations, gatherings, get-togethers and mostly our workplaces.

As the lockdown was declared in 2020, almost all companies worldwide shifted to the 'Work from Home' module. Whether you are an IT professional, a receptionist, an HR recruiter, a school or college teacher, or working in any other field, 'Work from Home' became the new normal. We all started to work remotely from the safety of our homes through our laptops or PCs, attended meetings virtually through different software and applications, and conversed or connected virtually. There were no physical meetings, no office lunches, and no regular corporate events. 

However, as people are getting vaccinated and many countries are being declared "COVID-FREE", the next change that we are witnessing is "Flexible Working Hours". This means that individuals can work within their own flexible timings and complete their works. There is no fixed or rigid 9to5 working routine and no tight deadlines. This is a new concept of working which is being loved by many around the world.

The best part of this concept of flexible working hours is that you can easily balance your personal and professional life. You can make food for your kids, you can spend time with your family, and also deliver your best at the same time. This shift from the rigid work timings to the flexible module has enhanced the productivity of employees and thereby workplaces ensuring a higher degree of satisfaction at work around the world.

Here is a graph posted from 'The Economist', that states that working at flexible hours ensures higher productivity in the form of a higher GDP; which is just the opposite of - "Work Hard, Party Harder". With flexible timing, you can work less but work highest as well. 

 What Is a Flexible Working Hour?

The concept of flexible working hours allows employees the perfect level of autonomy for creating their working schedules and helps them to maintain a work-life balance that works great. Rather than the normal 9-5 hours or 40 hours in a week, the flexible timing allows the employees to customize their own start time and end time for their work. 

The flexible working schedule has a structure where the employees should work for a particular number of hours or follow the agreement with the employer about office hours and remote working. Even some companies allow employees to come up to the office for 2-3 days a week and they can do their work remotely from home during the rest of the working days. 

How Can You Benefit From Flexible Working Hours?

●     Maintaining a Healthy Work-Life Balance

Yes, the best part with flexible working hours is that you can maintain a work-life balance which is very important. Working for 9-5 hours at the office has affected family and social life as studies around the world have shown. If you choose flexible working hours, you can give time to your family and kids and work at your own pace without compromising on dedication and productivity. 

●     Pursue your Hobbies and Passion

Just think that you are working for the whole day and cannot get time to pursue your passion; it's frustrating and sad! However, with flexible hours, you can work and enjoy your passion like reading books, making videos or vlogs, cooking, learning some art and craft easily. 

●     Flexible Hours Give a Sense of Autonomy

What do you prefer more- someone dictating the working routine or yourself managing the work timings? Isn’t the second option the best? it gives you a feeling of satisfaction and contentment and boosts you to give your best. 

●     You Can Work At Your Best When You Feel So

Some employees do not like to work during the afternoon; they need a little nap or rest. On the other hand, some work late at night and carry on the daily chores throughout the day. Each one has their own productive time, and thus the flexible timing is a good option. 

Everything Has A Good And Bad Side, Working On Flexible Hours Also Have The Same. So what Are The Drawbacks Of Flexible Working Hours?

●     It Is Difficult To Carry Out Meetings during Flexible Timing

Yes, if you are a boss or a manager and cannot gather all the employees together at a particular time for a meeting, you will lose the client's trust. So, think about flexible timing when the company has to carry out meetings very often. 

●     Arranging All Structures At Home Is Not Possible

If you are a graphic designer, for instance, you need to have a high-end laptop with graphics, software, and a good internet connection at your home. All these can be arranged in an office easily due to the available infrastructures, but at home, these might not be easily available and there could be connectivity issues in terms of electricity and internet. Such issues can hamper productivity. 

Besides these, flexible timings can hamper the bond between the employees, and they can get an easy opportunity to search for newer job opportunities as they are working remotely. It thus has a trust issue also. 

So, flexible working hours have both good and bad sides. Talking about me, my company is still providing the option of flexible working modules, but there are certain rules to follow so that productivity does not get hampered. As an employer, if you trust the employees and, as an employee, if you work hard, doesn’t matter remotely on flexible timings or by following the conventional module, productivity will never get hampered. It is ultimately your dedication and honesty towards your work that will ensure your professional growth and enhance productivity.