Irrespective of your company’s size, industry or specialty, one common factor is undeniable, that employees have a significant role in determining how best the company achieves its objectives. The future of work post-COVID is rapidly changing, forcing many employers to make some unconventional decisions to provide the best employee experience. Some of the changes include virtual and remote working, but also change in working times. In this article, we explore the different work schedules that you can put into place to create an exceptional work experience that promotes employee growth in and outside of work. We shall divide work schedules into two main groups, fixed-timing employment and altered-timing employment also known as flex or flexible employment schedules
Fixed-timing employment
8/40 or full time work schedule
The standard full-time workday of 8 hours per day, 5 days per week, and 40 hours per week is familiar to most people, but few are aware of alternate options. A weekly commitment of 37-40 hours is typical for a full-time work plan. Most full-time positions are eligible for employee benefits due to the high hours. Vacation and sick days are included, as well as health insurance and a selection of retirement plan alternatives. The most frequent full-time work schedule is Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., for a total of 40 hours each week.
Advantages of fixed work schedules
1. Consistent income and benefits are guaranteed.
2. It has a set timetable, therefore it is possible to prepare schedules ahead of time.
3. Paid time off is available.
Disadvantages of fixed work schedules
1. Given that two-thirds of an employee’s waking time is spent at work, managing your personal life may be tough.
2. It is monotonous and has little to no flexibility, which might be boring.
3.Can result in an employee’s life being stagnant owing to a lack of time to pursue alternative career development possibilities.
Flexible employment schedules
9/80 work schedule
A 9/80 work plan consists of eight nine-hour working days, one eight-hour day, and one day off over the course of two weeks. Employees on a 9/80 schedule work 80 hours spread out across nine days (thus the name: 9 days/80 hours), as opposed to the conventional 10 days in full-time employment also known as 8/40 described above. As a consequence, every other week, an employer can afford to give their staff a full day off.
Four 10-Hour Days work schedule
This is the most prevalent sort of shortened workweek and the most popular alternative to the traditional 9-to-5 schedule. Employees on this schedule work from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Thursday, for a total of 40 hours in four days.
Three 12-Hour Days work schedule
Companies that adopt this kind of work schedule have a plan in which employees work three 12-hour days to reduce the number of shifts each day. Employees are given four days off after three days of work to relax and rejuvenate.
Advantages of flex work schedules
1. Increased work-life balance as it is possible to spend more family time away from work.
2. Increased productivity when staff take a day off to recharge their batteries.
3. Encourage employees’ study and growth in other areas of interest.
4. Such an arrangement can help employees avoid rush hour by coming to work before the rush hour starts, and leaving before it resumes, which can save quality time wasted during rush hour.
Disadvantages of flex work schedules
1. Some jobs are not suited for working longer hours due to inherent increase in the risk of injuries or human errors.
2. A lengthier schedule may result in reduced efficiency at the end of the day.
3. Understaffing may occur during certain time periods.
2. A lengthier schedule may result in reduced efficiency at the end of the day. 4. Meetings may become more difficult to schedule as a result of irregular working times that are not convenient for all.
5 Employees may be working without supervision during overtime hours as managers may not be present to do so.
Developing such work scheduling plans is a delicate process which may take even months to implement and stabilize. Our people strategy experts are available to extend support to businesses looking at diversifying their working schedules to make workplaces a little more fun to be.
Want to roll out your flextime schedule today? Reach out to us for support.
