The trouble with flexible hours

Flexi-hours and working from home sound nice, but what's the cost?

Companies, employees and government bodies are increasingly aware of the importance of a good work-life balance. Two frequently raised suggestions to promote that balance are flexible working hours, and opportunities to work from home. After all, modern technology lets us communicate from anywhere.


Why can't those with responsibilities like caring for children or elderly parents see to duties like doctor's appointments and picking kids up from school at the right time of the day, then report to the workplace and make up the hours by clocking off later?

It sounds good in theory. But there is a price to pay.

Wish you were here
When employees don't come in daily, or have inconsistent reporting hours, employees lose out on the immediate availability of staff, and employees miss out on the benefits of team bonding. The camaraderie and morale that build up among people working at close quarters, sharing meals, jokes and complaints, are lost.

Efficiency can decline. It is quicker to step over to someone's desk to show them something than word an e-mail describing the matter and waiting for a response. Co-workers seeking discussions with one another may be in at different times - and it's not easy to ring up someone for an important talk when she's busy helping her elderly father at the hospital.

Where are you?
Some staff regularly abuse lunch breaks, toilet breaks and computer privileges. If they merrily do such things in the goldfish bowl of the office, what are these bad apples doing at home? Probably sleeping or shopping online on company time.

Organizations may have to tie flexi-work opportunities to responsible behavior and good performance - only after proving their maturity over some years should employees have the option of applying for such schemes.

Stop calling me
Flexible arrangements are often accompanied by lower pay. Money aside, things initially look rosy with more family time and less commuting. But you rarely have to appear in the office, the distinction between personal and work time can blur so you no longer know when to unwind.

Also, when supervisors see staff working hard and getting frazzled, or preparing to go home, they wait for a better time to talk to them. But when an employee is just a voice at the end of the line, bosses don't wait - they just ring up for input whenever they need to.

Leave mummy alone
Even young children can learn not to call their parents at work too often, except in emergencies. But at home, a small child won't understand why mummy cannot be disturbed when she's in the next room. And family members feel free to knock on the door anytime to discuss everyday matters. The employee cannot escape to the office because she no longer has an excuse to.

Solutions needed
When appropriately applied, greater flexibility can mean happier staff willing to work harder and longer for the company. But when thoughtlessly instituted, it could lead to abuse and a watering down of boundaries.

So consider all the ramifications before you jump at the chance of non-traditional working schemes.

Wisdom from Human Adele Ong