A flexible work schedule can be beneficial to employers and employees. Implement programs like flexible work schedules and telecommuting to reduce real estate and utility costs. These arrangements also decrease employee stress and burnout, resulting in lower staff turnover and a more productive workforce.
There are several ways to offer flexible work schedules, including part-time schedules, shift work such as longer shifts worked on fewer days, telecommuting or job sharing. It can be a challenge to implement flexible work scheduling. Flexible work schedule consultants and other resources can help, whether you're an employer who wants to get started or an employee who'd like to propose a flex work schedule. Here are a few things you can do to get started:
1. Talk to flexible work schedule consulting companies about their services.
2. Find out what you need to include in your flexible work schedule plan.
3. Look into resources like telecommuting and job sharing.
Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done
Check out the services provided by flexible work schedule consultants
Flexible work schedule consulting companies are human resource or management consulting companies that specialize in flexible scheduling. Flexible work schedule cconsultants offer ideas to help develop and implement flexible scheduling. Consultant services include task priorizations, policy design, and assistance with employee training and communication.
I recommend: WFD Consulting specializes in flexible management systems, work design programs, and virtual office preparation.
Flexible Resources Inc. is a flexible work schedule consulting and staffing firm that promotes flexible hiring strategies, including part time, job sharing and telecommuting programs.
The Herman Group forecasts the future of workforce and workplace issues. Their flexible work schedule consulting services include articles, books and training.
Shiftwork Solutions is a scheduling consultant that assists with designing shiftwork schedules.
Look into job sharing
Job sharing is a way to offer flexible part-time schedules while still having coverage and completing tasks. In a job sharing arrangement, 2 employees share the hours and responsibilities of a high-level job.
I recommend: Job Share Connection is a network of people looking for others to share their jobs.
Career Partners is a job sharing company that works with employers and employees.
Develop a plan
Before starting a flexible work arrangement, you will need to define which employees are covered by the plan, conditions for approving a plan and specific types of schedules and arrangements.
I recommend: Get information about what your plan should include from the
U.S. Department of Labor and the
U.S. Department of Commerce.
Tips & Tactics
Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide
- Not all employees can adapt to flexible work schedules or telecommuting. Offer some training and direction on time management and organizational skills.
The official source of Flexible Work Schedule Consultants is
the Flexible Work Schedule Consultants page at Business.com