Modified Work Schedule

Abstract

When employees are satisfied the organization benefits in many ways in that satisfied employees are more committed to the organization. They are likely to have less absenteeism, fewer grievances or engage in negative behavior. Thus by ensuring that employees are satisfied, management stands to gain a more efficient and smooth running organization. Given the benefits of high job satisfaction, companies are constantly coming up with new ways to increase and improve job satisfaction on the job. In an effort to increase job satisfaction more and more companies are experimenting with different approaches to work hours and workweek. The purpose of this paper is to examine the benefits and challenges of the major types of modified work-schedules available to workers.

Introduction

Job satisfaction in the workplace has become the new elusive phenomena throughout Corporate America. When employees are satisfied the organization benefits in many ways in that satisfied employees are more committed to the organization. Committed and loyal employees are more likely to work hard and make useful contributions to the growth of the organization. They are likely to have less absenteeism, fewer grievances or engage in negative behavior. Thus by ensuring that employees are satisfied, management stands to gain a more efficient and smooth running organization. Given the benefits of high job satisfaction, companies are constantly coming up with new ways to increase and improve job satisfaction on the job. In an effort to increase job satisfaction more and more companies are experimenting with different approaches to work hours and workweek.

With an increasing number of workers entering the workforce, new technology and globalization, employers are able to stray from the traditional eight-hour workday, five days a week, and fifty-two weeks per year work-schedule. As these ongoing changes and trends unfold modified work-schedule across the nation has become the new phenomenon. The purpose of this paper is to examine the benefits and challenges of the major types of modified work-schedules available to workers.

The concept of modified work schedule refers to work schedules that deviate from the traditional work schedule of eight hours per day, five days per week, fifty-two weeks per year (Modified Work, n.d). A modified work schedule may consists a of condensed work weeks and flexible hours of work, for example, working10 hours per day, 4 days a week, 52 weeks per year. There are several forms of modified work schedules; however the most common forms are flextime programs, compressed workweek and job-sharing.

Flextime Programs

Flextime programs are defined as method of increasing job satisfaction by allowing employees the flexibility in starting and ending workdays within reasonable limits approved by management. According to author Sandra Kerka, "approximately 20 percent of part-time and 12.3 percent of full-time employees have the option of flextime (Kerka, 11)."

The basic objective of this approach is to increase employees' job satisfaction and motivation by offering flexible work schedule which enable employees to meet needs associated with their personal commitments and responsibilities such as meetings, appointments, school and childcare.

Most flextime programs "requires employees to work a standard number of hours within a given time period, usually forty hours during a 4 or 5 day week" ("Flextime," 5). Composed of two forms of work-times, flexible work schedules designates certain work-time when individuals are expected to be on the job, known as Core Time ("Flextime,"). The second component of a flexible work schedule is known as Flextime. Flextime is identified as the portion of the employee's schedule wherein he or she chooses their own time of arrival and departure as long as they work the total number of required hours per day ("Flextime,"). For example, a company may have set its core hours between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. Employees may then have the opportunity to choose various work schedules, such as coming in and leaving early (6am-2pm or 7am-3pm) or by coming in and leaving late (9am-5pm or 10am-6pm).

The advantages of a flexible work-schedule are countless for both the employer and the employee. Flexible work-schedules provide more flexibility for employees in both their personal and professional lives. This type of scheduling allows employees to feel liberated with the freedom and control over their work-life, thus reducing levels of distress and strain ("Flextime,"). Other major advantages of a flexible work schedule include increasing employee morale, minimizing tardiness, decreasing absenteeism and reducing company turnover ("Flextime,").

Of course this type of scheduling has its disadvantages. Flexible work schedules sometimes complicates and increase administrative work in that keeping track of employees will prove to be more difficult because people are working different schedules. Other disadvantages include lack of supervision during some hours of work, unavailability of key people during certain periods and the possibility of understaffing during critical periods ("Flextime,").

Telecommuting Programs

With the advancement in telecommunication and technology, a new approach to flextime has emerged. A new approach to flextime, telecommuting allows employees to do some or all of their work at home by communicating with their office using various vehicles of technology through a computer modem, fax machine, telephone and palm-held computer devices. Telecommuting has become one of the fastest growing trends in the workplace. According to a national study, in 2003 there "were nearly 23 million employed telecommuters and a nearly equal number of self-employed workers who had given up on the traditional office" in 2003 (Estrin, n.d.).

There are numerous benefits to telecommuting. For many employees, the main benefits of telecommuting is being able to work from home and having control of their schedule. Working from home provides employees with more flexibility and time to spend with families, pursue personal goals such as enrolling into college etc, work in a more relaxed atmosphere and increase productivity due to the lack daily office interruptions. Another positive feature in telecommuting is that employees spend less time commuting.

Working from home provides