A flexible work schedule can be a real boon for a business: flex time scheduling can improve morale and productivity, help deal with bottlenecks in filling a facility and assist with the benefits of staggered shifts. Often, in flex scheduling, a company can find its strength and promote efficiency. Workers also enjoy having the control over their schedules.

When a business is just starting to look into flexible work schedule consulting services and arrangements, there are some steps a manager or decision maker can take before going "blindly" into consultation. The web offers resources for self-analysis so that a business can "do the homework" before rushing into a flexible work schedule consulting situation without prior knowledge of how it may change a business. Business leaders can find web resources for working with flexible work schedule consultants including:

1. Learning about some of the basic reasons for flexible work schedule consulting.

2. Figuring out how flex work schedule consulting gets done and how it can cause re-structuring issues or benefits.

3. More on flexible work schedule options within a given industry.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Find government resources for learning about flexible work schedule options

It helps to start with any government resources that may shed some light on the nuts and bolts of comparative business practices. Browse the sites of applicable government agencies to get statistics, tips and incentives for dealing with flexible work schedule consultancy.

I recommend: The federal U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics offers resources like this one for helping businesses to figure out where they are at vis-a-vis a flexible work schedule situation. Or visit the U.S. EPA online and see how the environmental protection department is leading the way in flex time for employees (generally the four-day week) in aid of a greener world.

Locate more on flexible work schedule from journals and publications

Another way to do the homework on flexible work schedules is with info from business-oriented sources that will help a manager be thoughtful about entering into a deal with a scheduling consultant shop.

I recommend: Highbeam Research can get reader-authored articles, including these from the Journal of Business and Enterpreneurship for doing the homework on what is feasible for flex work hours, before chatting with work scheduling consultants. Or use resources like these from a Work and Family Blog from Sloan Work and Family Research Network to see how flexible work scheduling consulting is catching on among bigger businesses.

Get flexible work schedule resources for different industries

It also helps to tailor research to your specific kind of business, so that work done with a work scheduling consultant can be applied as accurately as possible.

I recommend: Find flex schedule resources for medical fields at sites like Nursing Link. For more resources covering other professions, try Work Options online.

A flexible work schedule can be beneficial to employers and employees. Implement programs like flexible work schedules and telecommuting to reduce real estate and utility costs. These arrangements also decrease employee stress and burnout, resulting in lower staff turnover and a more productive workforce.

There are several ways to offer flexible work schedules, including part-time schedules, shift work such as longer shifts worked on fewer days, telecommuting or job sharing. It can be a challenge to implement flexible work scheduling. Flexible work schedule consultants and other resources can help, whether you're an employer who wants to get started or an employee who'd like to propose a flex work schedule. Here are a few things you can do to get started:

1. Talk to flexible work schedule consulting companies about their services.

2. Find out what you need to include in your flexible work schedule plan.

3. Look into resources like telecommuting and job sharing.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Check out the services provided by flexible work schedule consultants

Flexible work schedule consulting companies are human resource or management consulting companies that specialize in flexible scheduling. Flexible work schedule cconsultants offer ideas to help develop and implement flexible scheduling. Consultant services include task priorizations, policy design, and assistance with employee training and communication.

I recommend: WFD Consulting specializes in flexible management systems, work design programs, and virtual office preparation. Flexible Resources Inc. is a flexible work schedule consulting and staffing firm that promotes flexible hiring strategies, including part time, job sharing and telecommuting programs. The Herman Group forecasts the future of workforce and workplace issues. Their flexible work schedule consulting services include articles, books and training. Shiftwork Solutions is a scheduling consultant that assists with designing shiftwork schedules.

Look into job sharing

Job sharing is a way to offer flexible part-time schedules while still having coverage and completing tasks. In a job sharing arrangement, 2 employees share the hours and responsibilities of a high-level job.

I recommend: Job Share Connection is a network of people looking for others to share their jobs. Career Partners is a job sharing company that works with employers and employees.

Develop a plan

Before starting a flexible work arrangement, you will need to define which employees are covered by the plan, conditions for approving a plan and specific types of schedules and arrangements.

I recommend: Get information about what your plan should include from the U.S. Department of Labor and the U.S. Department of Commerce.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Not all employees can adapt to flexible work schedules or telecommuting. Offer some training and direction on time management and organizational skills.