Flexible working July 2015

All you want to know about flexible working

by Toronto Training and HR

July 2015

CONTENTS3-4 Introduction5-6 Definition7-10 Types of flexible working11-13 Advantages and disadvantages of the different types

14-15 Cutting costs and saving time16-18 Barriers to improving flexible working practices19 A typical flexible working policy20-21 Questions to ask when drawing up a policy22-26 Research from Australia about men and flexible

working27-33 Caregivers and flexible working34-36 Telecommuting 37-38 How to make remote working actually work39-40 A beginner’s guide to homeworking41-44 Case studies45-48 Looking to the future 49-50 Conclusion, summary and questions

Introduction

Introduction to Toronto Training and HR

Toronto Training and HR is a specialist training and human resources consultancy headed by Timothy Holden 10 years in banking15 years in training and human resourcesFreelance practitioner since 2006The core services provided by Toronto Training and HR are:

Training event designTraining event deliveryHR support with an emphasis on reducing costs, saving time plus improving employee engagement and moraleServices for job seekers

Definition

Definition • Flexible working

Types of flexible working

Types of flexible working 1 of 3

• Part-time working• Term-time working• Job-sharing• Flexitime• Compressed hours• Annual hours• Working from home

on a regular basis• Mobile working and

teleworking


• Career breaks• Zero hours

contracts


Four groups • Choice of which and

number of days worked

• Choice of length of shift

• A supervisor’s discretion to accommodate short-term change

• Phased retirement and recalls to return

Advantages and disadvantages of the

different types of flexibility

Advantages and disadvantages of the different types of flexibility 1 of 2

• Part-time work• Flexitime• Overtime• Job sharing• Compressed work

weeks• Shiftwork• Annual hours• Term-time working

Advantages and disadvantages of the different types of flexibility 2 of 2

• Temporary working• Fixed-term

contracts• Sub-contracting• Zero hours

contracts • Homeworking• Mobile working and

hot desking

Cutting costs and saving time

Cutting costs and saving time

• Electricity bills• Travel times• Costs

associated with travelling

• Raising productivity

• Desks no longer needed

• Reduced office space

• Lower amounts of paper used

Barriers to improving flexible working

practices

Barriers to improving flexible working practices 1 of 2

• Operational pressures• Customer/service

requirements• Line managers’ ability to

effectively manage flexible workers

• Line management attitudes

• Financial constraints• Existing organizational

culture

Barriers to improving flexible working practices 2 of 2

• Senior management attitudes

• State of the economy• Lack of senior-level

support• Technological

constraints• Lack of interest from

employees• Employee resistance

A typical flexible working policy

Questions to ask when drawing up a policy

Questions to ask when drawing up a policy

• Why are you making changes and what do you and your team want out of them?

• What are your options?

• How are you going to draw up the policy?

• How are you going to put the policy in place?

• How well is it working and could it be improved?

Research from Australia about men and flexible working

Research from Australia about men and flexible working 1 of 4

Benefits to the organization• Higher levels of

employee engagement and discretionary effort

• Increased performance and productivity

• Hire from a broader talent pool


Benefits to the individual• Enhance family

relationships• Active parenting and

psychological wellbeing

• Active fathering and equitable division of labour


BOOSTING PERFORMANCE AND PRODUCTIVITY• Work performance• Dealing with work

overload• Improved

organizational performance

• Minimizing absenteeism

• Reduced attrition


STRATEGIES AND OPTIONS TO ADOPT• Recognize the

diversity amongst men

• Build a focus on men and flexibility into the framework

Caregivers and flexible working

Caregivers and flexible working 1 of 6

• Part III (Labour Standards) of the Canada Labour Code

• Time swaps• Modified work schedules• Time off in lieu of

overtime pay• Right to refuse overtime• Shift changes• Right to request flexible

work and the duty to consider


• Short-term family responsibility leave

• Long-term family responsibility leave

• Bereavement leave• Division of vacation

leave• Postponement of

vacation leave


Have the conversation• Straight talk• Reframe the

conversation• Create an open door

policy

• What the research says


Embrace caregiving as the new normal• Know the facts• Understand this is here

to stay• Consider implementing

new programs



Demonstrate flexibility• Accommodate juggling• Look at what already

exists



Keep caring for the caregivers • Check in with your

caregivers• Get feedback

Telecommuting

Telecommuting 1 of 2

• Definition• Dimensions to

understand telecommuting arrangements

• Challenges unique to the telecommuting context

• Job satisfaction• Organizational

commitment

Telecommuting 2 of 2

Leadership• Types of leadership

behaviour• Substitutes for

leadership• Leadership

substitutes and neutralizers

How to make remote working actually work

How to make remote working actually work

• Use clear guidelines and objectives

• Take the first step• Support your

people• Trust is key• Measure

productivity

A beginner’s guide to homeworking

A beginner’s guide to homeworking

• Avoid distractions• Dedicate a

workspace• Get dressed• Create

boundaries• Stay in touch

Case study A

Case study B

Case study C

Case study D

Looking to the future

Looking to the future 1 of 3

• Insights• Evidence• Open-minded• Employer

interventions


Questions to ask• Should employer

interventions be exclusive or inclusive? Reactive or future-proofed?

• How open-minded, radical and strategic should employers be prepared to be to drive continuous change and why?


Questions to ask (cont.)• What is holding back

the take-up or flexible working despite increasing employer processes and legal support?

• How do you focus on the needs of the organization whilst enabling flexible working?

Conclusion, summary and questions

Conclusion, summary and questions

ConclusionSummaryVideosQuestions

Flexible working July 2015

Business

Transcript of Flexible working July 2015