Question from employer:
I am the co-founder of a tech start-up in Amman and considering adopting a flexible work arrangement for my employees. I read that such arrangements can benefit both the employer and employee. The question is, what are the main types of flexible work arrangements? And how do they differ from each other? Thank you for your help! Lina P.
Answer from HR expert:
If well-managed, flexible work arrangements can be highly beneficial for both the employer and the employee. These arrangements give the 43% of professionals who feel they have not built a successful
work-life balance sufficient time to fulfil both familial and work obligations. But if these policies are not well-thought-out then they could have disastrous impacts on the company, mainly manifested as absenteeism and lower productivity levels.
Here’s how you can get started with flexible arrangements at work:
1. Flextime: This is a common form of alternative work arrangements. Here, the employee works for the required and stipulated work hours, but at their own chosen timings. These timings could be either a little before or after the normal hours of business. For example, if the standard work timings are from 9 am to 6 pm, an employee might choose to come a little earlier and work from 7 am to 4 pm, or later from 10 am to 7 pm. This arrangement relieves employees from daily obligations such as dropping kids to school, or settling any other personal matter.
2. Compressed work week: Under this option, an employee can choose to work their standard hours of the week in less than five days. Therefore, if their total work week is comprised of 40 hours, i.e. 8 hours over 5 days, they could choose to work for four 10-hour work days instead.
3. Telecommuting: This type of flexible work arrangement occurs when the employee either works from home, or some specific non-office location. Often
working mothers might ask for this type of arrangement as it helps them balance their career and family life. Flexible work hours is a common arrangement when an employee’s daily commute takes too much time.
4. Job sharing (or shifts): Through this practice two or more employees share the responsibility of one full-time position. They share the tasks, salary and benefits equally among themselves. The days are usually split fifty-fifty.
5. Extended leave: This type of flexible arrangements can be paid or unpaid and is common when employees need to take an extended period of time away from work. This can be due to education, health issues, family emergencies, etc. During an extended leave, employees maintain their rights as per agreed terms with their company.
