PLAN AND MANAGE FLEXIBLE WORKFORCE - ASSESSMENT - TASK 1

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Task Number Task 1

Task 1
Q1)

`When opening a new office many points need to be take into account, and one of them is the
workplace planning method. Whether an existing similar office already exist and can be taken as a
model for the new one, it helps to direct many of the decisions by copying what currently works
effectively in the existing office to the new one. The new office is a great opportunity to correct the
points that could be improved in the existing one. If some members of the stuff are able to work
remotely, measures to assure these conditions should to put in practice, it involves motivation plans,
meeting strategies, time management and so on. The workplace should bring the greater benefits
for the company and ensure a safe and motivate work environment. Flexible time when the
employees need to be on office is also a good measure that usually increases performance, and gives
the employee the opportunity to manage its time better. This is in my point of view a quite efficient
strategy that worked in my company. The employees could start job between 7 and 10 am and
complete 8 hours of work, finishing between 3 and 6pm.

Q2)

Legislation, regulations and company’s policies have a huge influence in the possible workforce
arrangements that can be done. The limits one company can operate depends on the local
arrangements such as work legislation which defines maximum work hours per week for example,
penalty rates which may be paid after certain worked hours, breaks or leave days. It can be
challenging for a company to manage properly how many hours the employee work at home, how
many hours they are doing, whether they are taking proper breaks or not. Usually this type of
flexible work arrangement fits certain kinds or professionals, depending on its personality and
duties. The company cannot have total control if the employee is working more than what they
should, which may not be according to some regulations or less what may not meet companies
policies, so when a company starts implementing this kind of work arrangement, it start by applying
to more senior job posts.

Q3)

Challenges Description Strategies to address the

Manage the worked hours of
the employee
Creating an work environment
free of distractions
Once the employee can work
remotely, it is not always easy
for the company to enforce
specific working times, or
quantity of hours to be done
(although this is not the drive
of implementing flexible work
arrangements, some
companies still want to control
that)
Working by home may not be
as effective as many think.
challenge
Due to the technology, such as
software and specific gadgets it
is becoming easier to monitor
the activities and performance
of an employee remotely
Training and discipline can be
enforced by managers, leading

Deal with jealousy of other
employee which do not get the
same option
Manage personal meeting of
the stuff when necessary
Motivate the employee
Being in an environment where
there are plenty of distractions
may create the opposite effect
on performance.
It is not easy to apply flexible
work arrangements for
everyone as many duties or
personality still require the
employee at the company. So
lack of motivation or jealousy
can appear on the environment
by the ones who cannot have
the same opportunity.
It may be a challenge to have
personal meetings when the
physical presence is necessary
of all, as it may not be always
possible for those who work
remotely to be there.
Many employees face lack of
motivation when work at
home. Managers are not close
to identify and find ways to
drive the team back to track.
This many times is due to the
wrong view that there only
advantages on working
remotely. There is no longer a
separation between work and
home environment.
their team to create an
environment at home where
they can be less interrupted or
have access to less distractions,
such a room without TV,
mobiles phone or others
gadget at home.
Other types of flexible of work
times can also be created in the
company, at mine for example
the employee could choose
starting working from 7 to
10am and leaving accordingly
to the time they started, once
they meet the minimum
worked hours for the day. Also
measures such as a special
breakfast or lunch could
encourage those who work in
loco to see the positive sides
on working outside home.
Technology is making each
time less necessary personal
meeting as videoconference
are getting each time more
resources. If a personal
meeting is really necessary, it
must to be planned in advance,
which in a long run may lead to
a more disciplined
organization.
An adequate profile analysis
should be done before allowing
certain profile to adopt these
work option. Also periodical
performance reviews as well as
feedbacks should be part of the
program in order to ensure the
employee motivation and
focus.

Q4)

In order to implement an effective flexible work arrangement, some measures should be taken to
avoid typical issues, ensure team needs and keep them focused and motivated while following the
company’s values and goals. Some measures are as follow.

Firstly perform an effective analysis of the members of the team that can be fitted in this method.
With these results in hand, take the proper measures to treat the points that are not pairing with the
culture of flexible workforce, providing specific trainings and regularly providing feedback and
performance needs, identifying this way needs and other issues that may be presented by the
employee. Flexible work arrangement should give freedom and improve performance of the team as
well as costs, it should not push the workforce way from the company’s values but engage them
instead, as giving them this option it shows how the organization is working towards better practices
which brings the employee closer to the organization values and goals.