Flexible Work Arrangements by Nicole Solka

Here is the article: http://www.forbes.com/2009/05/15/work-life-balance-forbes-woman-leadership-flextime.html

Sylvia Ann Hewlett’s article from Forbes.com has a lot good points. In today’s world, the stress of a 40 hour work week, plus over time, plus kids, plus family obligations, appointments, etcetera can lead to a very stressful way of life. As “Rita” in Hewlett’s article says it “A little flexibility would be a godsend right now. The ability to come home and have dinner with the kids before putting in a late night would make all the difference.”

However, I agree that it’s hard for a lot of people to take a flexible work arrangement or to ask for one. According to Hewlett’s article, professionals are worried about job security and “chain” themselves to their desks to prove that they’re “indispensible.” I agree with this. I can see how employees who are dedicated to their careers may feel lazy or ashamed to ask for a shortened workweek or the option to work from home. That’s why I think it’s up to the company to make employees feel comfortable asking for these arrangements. After all, it’s been proved that flexible work arrangements can actually improve employee performance and morale, which can only be a benefit to the company.

According to another article, “A properly prepared FWA allows greater flexibility in balancing roles of work and home. It also can help prevent valuable employees from quitting and taking a less suitable position somewhere else.” How could this not be a good thing for a company? If you owned a company and knew that if you didn’t offer flexible work arrangements that you would lose some of your best employees, wouldn’t you start to be more flexible? People may argue that “physical presence equals more opportunity for promotions and advancement,” but I disagree. If an employee is truly and outstanding employee, they would figure out a way to do equal work from home or with a flexible work arrangement as with a “typical” work week.

Flexible work arrangements for employees can also lead to less stress which will lead to better morale and lower turnover rates, which I definitely agree with. In fact, I think that as long as flexible work situations are not taken advantage of and are monitored by the employer, that the benefits far outweigh any potential drawbacks. In my personal opinion, I believe that it’s at least worth a try.

Other Sources:
http://www.workplace-mag.com/Flexible-work-arrangements-boost-morale-and-retention-execs-say.html
http://www.businessknowhow.com/manage/flexwork.htm