Flexible Work Schedule Consultants Key Terms

Learn key terms that flexible work schedule consultants use to promote these sensible arrangements

By Michele Vrouvas

Many companies that once resisted a flexible work schedule are now singing its praises. They’re no longer afraid that these schedules will cause them to lose control of employees since early experiments with flex time have reported excellent results. These same companies have even added flexible work schedules to their employee engagement strategy, allowing them to offer employees perks that don’t cost management a thing. If you’re not sure whether a flexible work schedule can work in your business, consider the following key terms that might change your mind.

Extended client, home location

The extended client, home location flexible work schedule arrangement allows an employee to work off-site at a client's office and then to complete follow-up work at home through remote access to the employer's computer system. As much as possible, consultants encourage employees who follow this schedule to put in the same number of hours as they would in a normal work week.
Try: Learn which types of jobs and organizations are best suited to the extended client, home location flexible schedule at Benchmark Consulting.

Government regulations

Flexible work schedule consultants urge companies to pay close attention to government regulations that relate to employment policies. They emphasize the need to show employees you're willing to try implementing a flex work time policy even if you're not convinced it will work in your company.
Try: Vault treats the subject of government regulations in detail by explaining how these regulations can influence your employees’ abilities to manage a flex time schedule while maintaining acceptable levels of productivity.

Building a culture of flexibility

If you've never had flex time in your company before, consultants suggest you start by building a culture of flexibility in areas other than employee work schedules. For example, you can become more flexible in your training programs and in your performance appraisal process.
Try: Go to WFD Consulting to learn how you can ease into the flex time work schedule by building a culture of flexibility.

Commuter friendly workplace

Sometimes advising businesses how to handle flexible work schedules requires consultants to teach them about creating a commuter friendly workplace. This means that employees are encouraged to car pool, take mass transit or even work remotely from home. Employers do this by providing special parking arrangements, contracting with vendors to reduce parking fees or make other compensations for those choosing alternate transportation methods.
Try: At Connecticut Consumer Services you’ll learn tips on how to entice employees to make other travel arrangements when getting to work.

Benefits of flex time

Consultants rely on research that identifies the benefits of flex time as a way to encourage more companies to adopt these schedules. Benefits include allowing mothers more before or after school time with their children, the ability to find independent contractors who follow flex time schedules and substantial savings in equipment and operating costs.
Try: Use the discussion of flex time benefits at Flex Jobs if you need to convince your managers that these schedules benefit management as well as employees.

Flexibility and productivity

The interplay between flexibility and productivity has become a talking point for flexible work schedule consultants. They urge companies to accept the research that shows employees perform at higher levels when they are satisfied with their working arrangements. This includes a positive atmosphere in the workplace and the ability to work flex time according to their personal needs.
Try: Get the specifics on this research at Cisco. You’ll also get the facts on how flex time arrangements have been shown to boost productivity while decreasing operating costs.