Flexible Work Schedules- a Critical Review of Literature

Abstract

Flexible work schedules is an important and critical issue in this 2151 century. Nevertheless, human resource practitioners only recently began to see flexible work schedules as a business issue that has benefits for both employees and employers (Clutterbuck, 2003). Research that supports the benefits of flexible work schedules for organizations is substantial. It highlights a positive, although indirect, influence on organizational profit (Morgan, 2009). Many organizations and employees are becoming increasingly aware. of the potential benefits of flexible work schedules. These benefits include employee job satisfaction and well-being; reduced absenteeism and turnover; successful recruitment and retention; increased productivity; customer satisfaction; employee commitment and improvement in organization citizenship behaviour (White, Hill, McGovern, Mills & Smeaton, 2003). Today's workforce more than ever before would consider leaving their current employers to gain a better flexible work schedule, even if it meant reduced pay, this practice has gained popularity even among the demographic population that was considered less likely to use it for example men who are believed to be more inclined to their jobs as opposed to family issues given the societal defined gender roles. As a result, organizations that invest heavily in flexible work schedules programmes report lower employee turnover (Mayberry; 2006). The perception is that organizations that offer flexible work schedules are particularly concerned about their employees welfare and through these employees are motivated to reciprocate for this offer by in turn being highly committed to their jobs and working very hard to enhance the success of the organization. Consequently, flexible work schedules as one of the top employee concerns of today is a frequent topic of discussion during recruitment interviews (Clutterbuck, 2003). In the 2003 Best Company to Work for Survey, 23 companies reported flexible work schedules as a key aspect of employees who used flexible work policies took only half as much sick leave as those who did not, this points to the fact that flexible work schedules enhances better health among employees (Morgan, 2009). With such important organizational advantages, it is not surprising that the existence and use of flexible work schedules have become increasingly prevalent globally (Doherty, 2004).