Assignment

Submitted by:
Muhammed Mashboob RM
 Importance of Flexibility in Workplace
Workplace flexibility is when the employer gives some or full freedom to its employees to
choose the time (when), location (where), and manner (how) in which they work to help align
organisation goals with the individual goals.
Work flexibility involves employers to have more concern for their employees and realize that
they have a hectic life beyond work as well. It involves providing them with options and
alternatives to help them meet the demands of both professional and personal lives.
This not only boosts employee satisfaction but also results in them becoming more productive
and hard-working.

Types of Flexibility in the Workplace

Most of the companies witness the benefits of incorporating flexible work policy and alternative
work arrangements more than the cons. These alternative work arrangements can be broadly
categorized into two types –
 Formal Flexibility: Which is agreed upon in the job contract.
 Informal Flexibility: Which is a result of mutual understanding between the employer
and the employee.
Both of these types are necessary to build trust within the organisation. These types can further
be classified into –
 Flexibility in Work Scheduling: A provision for any work schedule other than the
standard work schedule. This includes flextime (only focus on the hours worked not
when worked), compressed workweeks (working full time in less than 5-day workweek),
and flexible shift and breaks arrangements.
 Flexibility in Amount of Work Hours: Offering part-time work or reduced hour schedule
to people who need it.
 Flexibility in the Place of Work: Letting employees work from home or a satellite work
centre to help them cater to their personal needs.

Examples of Flexibility at Work

One should not ignore the needs of the employees while forming company policies. Doing so not
only keeps the employees happy but also increases the productivity of the whole organisation.
Here are a few examples of flexibility at work –
 Telecommuting: Telecommuting is a job policy where the employee comes to office
semi-regularly (1-3 times a week) and does most of his work remotely.
  Remote Working: Employees engaged in remote work perform their tasks while entirely
away from the office. It can be a permanent position or temporary and the employees can
be hired from around the world.
 Condensed Workweeks: A policy which lets the employees complete their 40-hour shift
within the first 4 days of the week and take the next 3 days off.
 Customized Working Hours: Letting the employees choose their own work hours.
 Part-Time Jobs: Many companies offer not-so-important jobs to part-time workers. This
eventually helps in increasing productivity and even costs less to the company.
 Job Sharing: A common flexible work policy which involves two or more part-time
workers sharing a full-time job.

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 favourable in terms
of the pay but also in terms of advanced benefits, technical support, and the flexibility to help
them achieve peak performance.
Stats show that 78% of the employees feel their productivity increase when work arrangements
are flexible. And 77% consider flexible work arrangements a major consideration while applying
for and evaluating job opportunities.

There are various other factors when we talk about the word ‘flexible’ at
work and the importance of flexibility.
1. Open to trend:
This attitude shows that either the employer or the employee are willing to take their chances and
wade through. Their mind is ready for adapting to change that is about to come and take on the
challenges. They respond well to the changes quickly.
2. Not rigid in thoughts:
People who are flexible can be approached easily as they would accept the changes ready to
implement them. They do not show rigidity in accepting the views. Having workplace flexibility
skills allows for pushing through changes that are inevitable.
3. Adjusting to situations:
These people can easily adjust to the situation they encounter. They know how to adjust and
what to do. They can be relied on when assigned with new projects.
It’s futile in showing resistance to changes as it will only cause undue stress. Such employees are
ready to take assignments other than what their role was meant to be.
 4. Effective problem solving:
As these people would have faced many situations that forced them to take the call for making
changes within their system or attitude, they seem to be effective in finding solutions to
problems. In fact, they know where to look for in case of any problems.
5. Able to negotiate:
Having flexible team members would definitely bring in negotiation at ease. Their outlook on the
aspect of negotiation is easily identified. They seem to know which portfolio to take into
consideration to make that negotiation work out best.
6. Work under pressure:
There could be times when the company may not be performing well and need to downsize their
payroll. These people come to the rescue as they can handle pressure or workload. Their skills
might not fit but as they show the willingness to take up those additional roles.
7. Ability to listen:
Being more open to changes is a sign that shows the person has the ability to listen to other
views. An important part of communication is listening. Having a flexible attitude means the
person will be willing to give their ears to other views.
8. Able to communicate:
As changes are the cause for making one to be flexible, they learn the art of communication.
They are adept in this art that no one can beat them.
The exposure of such people is enormous due to their experience in various fields which brings
in more knowledge converting to communications.
9. Acknowledging others view:
This category of people are prone to the difference of opinions and views. To cater to the change
that is needed they know that being able to understand others’ views is a sign of
acknowledgment. So acknowledgment is a good attitude.
10. Allows expanding:
It is always seen that employees who adapt themselves or are flexible to the changes have more
chances of achieving success. Their willingness to learn the concepts and adopt new trends that
go beyond their skills and experience brings in many changes within the business and henceforth
the success of the business. These employees are always considered to be valuable assets as
they embrace change.
 11. Able to learn:
Changes bring in new concepts to be learnt. Having this attitude of showing flexibility at the
workplace would instigate the employee to learn. As their mind is open to absorb the changes,
learning is not difficult for them. They have the initiative to find ways of learning new concepts
and become an expert in it.
12. Balancing work with family:
Gone are those days when the employee can relax with their family after working hours. Now
they can take care of their family as well if they know to embrace the changes in technology and
use it to balance their work too. The fine line between work and family is maintained.
13. More productive:
This attitude of being flexible allows a person to handle tasks with ease as they learn the
techniques easily thereby making them productive. Having this attitude brings in more chances
for exploring other opportunities. The person when having exposure to technology becomes
productive.
14. Optimistic:
Flexible people are often most wanted in the company as they have that attitude of never saying
no for an answer. They can fit themselves well into the group and that itself shows they have a
positive outlook. The positive nature is appreciated.
15. Diversity valued:
With the globalization of many businesses, there is an interchange of cultures with varied
interests. Having a mind to accommodate the diversified culture, employers are ready to identify
the needs and address them too. Care is taken to see that interaction is smooth. Managing
diversity in the workplace is very important.
16. Use a different way of approach:
They usually don’t approach an issue or problem in a conservative way. They know how to look
at the problem to arrive at the solution. The way of approach is quite different and unique.
17. Accommodate job rotation:
Having a flexible approach, employers motivate such people with the rotation of jobs to give a
chance for job enrichment. Not only skills are enhanced but also demonstrates for taking up
supervision roles. Job rotation makes one to shift from one job to another periodically making
them more valuable in the eyes of the employer and future employers.
 18. Shows confidence:
Flexible nature shows that you are confident in the work that you are taking up. You are sure that
you can handle risks that would be associated with it.
19. Scheduling:
Now employers could show they are flexible with the schedule to benefit the employees and
keep them happy. Making life easier for them would definitely enhance the productivity
20. Able to transcend:
Its willingness to transcend that a person is considered to be flexible. Sticking to the old ways of
working will not allow an individual to move forward.
Routine tasks or a predetermined set of tasks can be done through automation. But value-added
tasks like problem-solving requires input from individuals.

Advantages of Workplace Flexibility

A flexible workplace is good for both the employer and the employee. It not only helps increase
productivity in the organisation but also increases the satisfaction of the employees which in-turn
results in many other advantages.

From the Employee’s Perspective

 More time and space to cater to personal needs: Workplace flexibility results in more
freedom to better meet family and personal needs.
 Increased job satisfaction: When more flexibility is provided in terms of when, what,
and how to work, it boosts the confidence of the employee and increases job satisfaction.
 Enhanced productivity: Increased job satisfaction and more freedom to choose the way
of working enhances the productivity of the employees, which eventually opens up more
future opportunities.

From the Employer’s Perspective

 Less employee turnover: Since workplace flexibility increases the employees’ job
satisfaction, it helps in reducing employee turnover in the organisation.
 More productivity: More flexibility reduces tardiness and absenteeism and hence
increases the productivity within the organisation
 Better company image: Flexibility in the workplace usually enhances the company
image as a family-friendly place to work with a good workplace culture. This attracts
more job seekers to choose the organisation over others.
However, some people also argue about the cons of work flexibility being less efficient work due
to lack of supervision, and no clear dividing line between home and work.