In-School Productivity Campaign | Can flexitime reverse the historical productivity slowdown?

Flexibility is desired by most in body, mind and also time, which is the most precious and costly resource that we each possess. It is utilised every day, whether we want to or not, and therefore not surprising that many are increasingly seeking flexible work arrangements to maximise or efficiently utilise their time.

Flexitime is a topic that has received much attention in the past, and is endorsed by some and opposed by others in Jamaica. It is not uncommon to hear persons talk about what they would do with the extra time if flexible working time was implemented at their place of work.

Despite all the benefits, statistics show that firms and organisations offering flexitime have only grown minimally. According to one source, flexitime has increased in the United States by only four to five per cent in the last decade.

The International Labour Organization (ILO) states that the practice of flexible time (or flexitime) allows workers and employers to schedule working hours flexibly on a daily and weekly basis. It focuses on introducing flexibility into how regular working hours are spread. Further, it contemplates that both the employer and the employee are going to work together to achieve an arrangement that balances the requirements of the particular workplace with the interests, needs and commitments of the employer outside the workplace ('Flexitime and 'time banking' schemes', ILO article, May 2004).

The practice of flexitime allows for variations in work arrangement such as:

n Ability to vary the number of hours worked per day up to a maximum level.

n Ability to vary the time of day worked.

n Ability to vary the number of hours worked per week.

n Ability to vary the days of week worked.

Studies conducted in the United States show that 30 per cent of workers would take a pay cut for more flexible work arrangements. In other words, some workers favour flexible working time over money, and with the inability of many firms and organisations to pay for the value added by some employees, it may be a worthwhile consideration during wage negotiations. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than 20 million Americans actively choose part-time work.

Persons who favour flexitime include semi-retired or retired individuals, college students and those with family obligations, for example, having young, sick or elderly family members. Also, those who prefer to engage in deliberate, careful work-life balance or persons who want to explore other life opportunities. All of which would make up a large portion of the population.

There are good reasons for flexitime

On September 14, 2014, the Jamaican Parliament passed the Employment (Flexible Work Arrangements) Miscellaneous Provisions Act. This was followed by the Senate passing the act on October 21, 2014, paving the way for regularising flexitime which has been a common practice over the years, especially in the essential services and other sectors.

There are several justifications why firms or organisations in Jamaica should consider implementing flexible working time. First, according to UNICEF Situation Analysis (2002 and 2006), there are 37,000 children living with disabilities in Jamaica - needing special care from working parents or caregivers.

Second, in 2002, 45 per cent of Jamaican households were female-headed (UNICEF Situation Analysis of Jamaican Children, 2005).

Third, it is projected that by 2030 the elderly population - age 60 years and over - is projected to grow to 450,000 from 299,500 in 2010 (PIOJ, 2011).

Fourth, flexitime may well be a temporary solution to the traffic congestions resulting from road construction.

Fifth, flexitime may be a way to reverse the decline in labour productivity over the last 60 years. This may occur through the following channel - Inflexible hours, combined with low wages place pressures on employees, which leave them struggling to strike a reasonable balance between time for work, time for self, and time for family. The end result is that workers are more stressed, labour productivity is reduced, critical timelines are missed, and quality of work or service suffers. The nation also suffers from the social repercussions and spurs the vicious cycle of slow or no growth.

Flexibility is important for firms and organisations and, by extension, national growth, as the fact is that technology has been changing the face of the traditional workplace.

 

Benefits of flexitime

 

- Lower overheads due to reduced physical time in office.

- Improved morale and job satisfaction.

- Reduced stress and fatigue.

- Greater staff retention and easier recruiting of capable employees.

- Productivity gains.

It is noteworthy, however, that if a flexitime scheme is not monitored or administered properly, there is a potential for abuse. Given the costs of not doing and the benefits of implementing, flexible hours may well be worth the consideration and effort of employers.

- Tamar Nelson is an industrial and systems engineer at the Jamaica Productivity Centre.