Flexible Working Practices

Question 1

Advantages for employees

Answer 1

Flexibility to meet family needs, personal obligations, and life responsibilities conveniently.

Question 2

Advantages for employees

Answer 2

Reduced consumption of employee commuting time and fuel costs. If these employees are allowed to work from home, that saves two hours of time, gas, and wear and tear on the road.

Question 3

Advantages for employees

Answer 3

Avoids traffic and the stresses of commuting during rush hours.

Question 4

Advantages for employees

Answer 4

Increased feeling of personal control over schedule and work environment.

Question 5

Advantages for employees

Answer 5

Reduces employee burnout due to overload. Flexibility means employees can take a break when they need it.

Question 6

Advantages for employees

Answer 6

Allows people to work when they accomplish most, feel freshest, and enjoy working. (eg. morning person vs. night person).

Question 7

Advantages for employers

Answer 7

Increased employee morale, engagement, and commitment to the organization.

Question 8

Advantages for employers

Answer 8

Reduced  absenteeism and tardiness.

Question 9

Advantages for employers

Answer 9

Increased ability to recruit  outstanding employees.

Question 10

Advantages for employers

Answer 10

Reduced turnover of valued staff.

Question 11

Advantages for employers

Answer 11

Allows people to work when they accomplish most, feel freshest, and enjoy working. (e.g. morning person vs. night person).

Question 12

Advantages for employers

Answer 12

Extended hours of operation for departments such as customer service.

Question 13

Advantages for employers

Answer 13

Develops image as an employer of choice with family-friendly flexible work schedules.

Question 14

Job Share

Answer 14

Job sharing is an employment arrangement where typically 2 people are retained on a part-time basis to perform a job fulfilled by 1 person.

Question 15

Part Time

Answer 15

When the employee only works certain days a week and not the whole week.

Question 16

Compressed Hours

Answer 16

Staff working compressed hours work their total contracted hours over fewer working days. For example, a full-time staff member could work 36.5 hours over 4.5 days or a 9 day fortnight rather than 5 days.

Question 17

Flexi-time

Answer 17

When the employee chooses when to start and end work (within agreed limits) but works certain ‘core hours’ everyday.

Question 18

Annualised Hours

Answer 18

When the employee’s hours are expressed as a total number of hours to be worked during the course of the year.

Question 19

Staggered Hours

Answer 19

When the employee starts and finishes work in the same workplace completing a set number of hours, but at different times during the day.

Question 20

Homeworking

Answer 20

When employees carry out the duties of the job from home.

Question 21

Teleworking

Answer 21

When employees carry out the duties of the job while they’re away from the organisation and use ICT to keep in contact.

Question 22

Advantages of homeworking and teleworking

Answer 22

Allows a better work–life balance for employees, which can increase morale and motivation, and thus increase productivity

Question 23

Advantages of homeworking and teleworking

Answer 23

Reduction in travel, which reduces stress among staff

Question 24

Advantages of homeworking and teleworking

Answer 24

Organisations can save money on smaller premises as they won’t need to accommodate everyone in the office

Question 25

Advantages of homeworking and teleworking

Answer 25

Allow for the organisation to retain employees whose personal circumstances have changed

Question 26

Disadvantages of homeworking and teleworking

Answer 26

taff may feel isolated and it is difficult to promote team spirit

Question 27

Disadvantages of homeworking and teleworking

Answer 27

Staff may find it difficult to discipline themselves to get the work done as there may be more distractions at home

Question 28

Disadvantages of homeworking and teleworking

Answer 28

It is difficult to ensure that staff are complying with health and safety requirements when they are working at home

Question 29

Disadvantages of homeworking and teleworking

Answer 29

It is difficult to supervise staff who are working from home

Question 30

Career Break benefits

Answer 30

increase retention of employees, be used as a reward, help bring new skills and motivate employees.