Flexible working hours (benefits and how to approach it)

The flexibility in working hours represents a human need, by virtue of the demanding activities that professional life involves. Therefore, any worker requires elasticity in his or her daily work schedule, in such a way that he may have the time necessary to reconcile his work activities with personal and business activities home.

From being able to play a sport, going to school activities to carrying out personal errands, they sometimes represent a problem for the common worker, for that reason, the flexible schedule It is a benefit highly desired by any professional when choosing a job.

What is labor flexibility?

It is an order that seeks to favor the adequate reconciliation of the worker's life in the personal, family and work areas. Being able to enjoy it at the will of the employer or by application agreement, mandatory for the employer recognized in the workers' statutes.

When talking about flexibility in working hours, it is important to be clear that it is not referring to fewer hours of work, but to an adequate distribution of working time, which allows greater worker performance through optimal time management.

The employee can have greater freedom in setting his / her entry / exit schedule, based on the experience gained while performing his / her tasks.

Advantages of flexible working hours

• It encourages academic training, since the employee can have part of his schedule to plan their personal development through their studies.
• It generates a pleasant work environment, human talent tends to stay or remain in the company, since they feel comfortable in their work environment.
• The working environment It is benefited by the sense of personal well-being felt by the employees, owners of their working hours.
• Reduces work stress and tensions in the work environment.
• As a result of the organization of the schedule, the staff tends to minimize the work absenteeism.
• Due to the motivation and the fact that the worker feels more comfortable with his schedule, the working day becomes more productive.
• Gender equity is favored, allowing women to have a greater possibility of entering the labor field since they have the flexibility to carry out household chores. It also allows man the time to contribute responsibly to these activities.
• The standard of living of workers is improved, thanks to the harmony between work, home, recreation, etc.

Flexible schedule types

• Fixed-variable schedule: The company offers different schedules and the worker chooses one, which becomes mandatory and must comply with it.
• Floating schedule: The employee chooses the time of entry, which is within a range of hours set by the company and must keep working the hours that mark their day.
• Free hours: The employee freely establishes his schedule, it is only conditioned by the fulfillment of the goals and objectives that the company projects for him.

Measures that are implemented in search of greater schedule flexibility

• Daily workdays of 7 hours of work
• Day shifts from 4 to 5 hours of work
• Comprehensive planning according to the particular needs of the worker, and flexibility in the face of special needs.
• Academic preparation of the worker towards and within the working day.
• Pre and post natal leave.
• Sick leave, without being deducted from the salary payment.
• Shift changes and / or rotation.
• Hours worked for 24 hours combined with 48 hours of rest.
• Implementation of the Increase in human resources to cover the planning of partial schedules.
• Hiring of sectorial personnel, that is to say with domicile near the place of work, which contributes to the flexibility of working hours.
• Contractual benefits related to paternity, as well as those received for maternity.
• Breastfeeding leave for women.
• Use of internal transport of the organization to transfer staff, is evidence of flexibility in working hours.
• Agreements to minimize lunch time, thus advance the departure time.
• Permits to care for a sick relative or relative (children, parents, siblings, uncles or other).
• Do not allow the use of overtime work.
• Permits or licenses for administrative procedures, with a monthly limit established between the company and the worker.
• Exchange of excess hours of work due to the employee's willingness to participate in activities called by the employee in additional hours to the working day.
• Exchange of holidays (Saturdays and Sundays) for business days, provided as days of rest, at the convenience of the worker and the employer.
• Jobs assigned remotely, either telecommuting, jobs assigned over the Internet through the use of remote access.
• Option to have medical, legal, dental or psychological and legal service, within the same business organization.
• Use of technology for the relationship of suppliers and customers in order to optimize working time within the working day.