There are several different types of flexible working arrangements that businesses can adopt to suit their needs. This article will explore some of the most common types of flexible working and how they can benefit your business. The traditional 9-5 work day is gradually becoming a thing of the past. In its place, a more flexible approach to work is emerging, with an emphasis on employees working from home or remotely. This type of flexible working has become increasingly popular in recent years, as it offers a number of benefits for both businesses and employees. For businesses, offering flexibility is a talent magnet and it can lead to increased productivity and creativity, as well as reduced overheads. For employees, especially working moms (and dads), it can offer better work-life integration and more control over their working hours. There are a number of different types of flexible working arrangements that businesses can adopt to suit their needs. This blog post will explore some of the most common types of flexible working and how they can benefit your business.
The 4-day week
Flexible working is a hot topic in South Africa at the moment, with many businesses looking to introduce more flexible arrangements for their employees. The 4-day week is one option that is gaining popularity, as it can offer a number of benefits for both employers and employees. This will be piloted in South Africa in 2023 while companies globally are experiencing its benefits.
There are a few different ways to implement the 4-day week, but the most common is to simply reduce the number of hours worked each day by 20%. This can be done across the board, or you could stagger the days off so that not everyone is off at the same time. For example, you could have 2 teams working 4 days on, and 4 days off.
The benefits of the 4-day week are numerous. For employees, it can mean more time for family and personal commitments and better work-life integration overall. It can also lead to increased productivity levels, as employees are likely to be more rested and motivated when they are at work. For employers, this approach can lead to reduced overheads and improved retention rates.
If you're considering introducing the 4-day week in your business, it's important to consult with your employees and get their input on how best this approach can work. The model is an employee-up model, not a management-down model. The global and local teams can guide and assist you with how best to pilot this in your organisation.
Flexible working
There are many types of flexible working that can suit the needs of businesses. Some common types include:
-Flexible hours: This type of flexible working arrangement allows employees to choose when they start and finish work, within certain limits. This can be beneficial for businesses as it can allow them to better match staffing levels to demand. Many companies implement a “core-hours” working policy. This allows flexibility around non-core hours.
-Part-time hours: Part-time hours are another type of flexible working arrangement where employees work fewer hours than full-time employees.
-Job sharing: Job sharing is a type of flexible working arrangement where two or more employees share a single job between them. This is useful when you require staff coverage for longer hours, e.g 7am-6pm. Two people can then share the shifts and rotate intervals as to who is on the morning shift and who is on the afternoon shift.
-Telecommuting: Telecommuting is a type of flexible working arrangement where employees work from home, either all or part of the time. This can be beneficial for businesses as it can help to reduce office space and related costs.
Remote working
Some businesses may find that a remote working arrangement suits their needs best, while others may prefer a more traditional office setting. At RecruitMyMom we have followed a fully remote working model successfully since inception. If you're considering implementing a remote working policy for your business, there are a few things to keep in mind:
You'll need to have clear communication channels in place so that everyone is on the same page.
You'll also need to trust that your employees will be productive when working from home and where possible implement productivity measures and tools.
Remember to ensure that you have adequate security measures in place to protect your company's data.
Create a culture of remote work working by finding new ways to connect with each other. This could be done through monthly virtual coffee chats, virtual breakfasts, WhatsApp groups for quick communications and more.
By allowing employees to work flexibly or remotely you can experience a number of benefits for your business. These include improved employee morale and motivation, and can also lead to increased productivity. Flexible working can also help to reduce absenteeism and increase staff retention.
If you're thinking about introducing flexible working into your business make sure that you have the right policies and procedures in place. You also need to think about how you're going to manage workflows and deadlines, and how you'll communicate with employees who are working remotely.
The future of work
There is no one-size-fits-all answer to the question of what the future of work will look like. However, there are a number of potential flexible working arrangements that could suit the needs of your business.
Whichever option you choose, it is important to ensure that you communicate with your employees and clearly explain the expectations and boundaries surrounding flexible working arrangements. If you think hiring a flexible team is right for your business then get in touch with us today to find suitable candidates to support your business needs.
RecruitMyMom is a recruitment agency that places professional, skilled moms. We offer permanent, contract, freelance, and independent contracting opportunities. Our remote and in-office jobs are perfect for working moms
