Why Flexitime Is So Important

It is not only desirable but also critical in certain situations for organisations.

- Richard Cowley

In today’s dynamic times, the weekly working hours vary from country to country – from 40-44 hours generally, to 35 hours in France, and significantly higher in North Korea. In the past, these variations have generally been driven by history, geography and culture. However, increasingly, company needs or lifestyle choices are the drivers.

One of the practices that has gained popularity globally, and looks like it’s here to stay, is flexitime – defined as a system of working a set number of hours, with the starting and finishing times chosen within agreed limits by the employer/employee. The common perception is that flexitime is not a good thing. It is seen as a challenge for businesses; one that adversely impacts productivity. At the same time, it remains clear that flexitime is not just a ‘nice-to-have’ but critical in certain situations.

Competitive, Evolving Global Workplace Context

A more competitive and continuously changing workplace is demanding a rethink on workplace practices. To collaborate globally, we must be available for early morning or late meetings. The costs of working spaces are driving companies to ‘hot desk’, where virtual teams can work anywhere, including their homes. Manufacturing products have a global demand – it has meant a peak and trough product-demand cycle for some companies, demanding a flexible workplace. The dearth of talent has also meant that cross- border freelancing is growing, and the contingent flexible workforce is becoming an integral part of a company’s workforce.

Customer business needs are driving new demands. For example, in a multinational where I worked, they now have to run machines 24/7 to drive manufacturing productivity. When they face breakdowns over the weekend, a team is needed to support them, as customers won’t wait until Monday.