Today’s flexible workplace/workspace
MANAGING PEOPLE & TIME
Today’s Flexible Workplace/Workspace Flexible work arrangements are here to stay — with benefits and pitfalls
Flexible work arrangements are here to stay—with benefits and pitfalls. By Karen Starr, Ph.D.
VISUAL GENERATION/STOCK.ADOBE.COM
By Karen Starr, Ph.D.
T
hanks to technology, can work or The Benefits of Flexibility This article originally appearedemployees in the myriad devices. As a result, employers and employees recognize the mutual learn anywhere, anytime, using myriad devices. Flexibility in the work structure has some distinct advanMarch 2020 Affairs As aSchool result, Business employers and employees recognize benefits of the flexible workplace and increasingly, employees expect and tages for employees who work remotely from home. magazine is reprinted with theand mutual benefits of permission the flexible workplace demand a degree of flexibility in their working lives. and increasingly, expect and demand a degree of the Associationemployees of School Business Cost Savings Flexible work can be defined as working remotely from home, of flexibility in their working lives. • Automotive commuting expense for fuel, tolls, and Officials International (ASBO). The text Flexible work can be defined as working remotely telecommuting,vehicle teleworking, and beingdecrease, a nomadic Whatever the maintenance asworker. do costs for using herein doestelecommuting, not necessarily represent the and beingnomenclature, from home, teleworking, a workplace flexibility can take many forms: working from home public transportation. nomadic Whatever the nomenclature, workplace views or worker. policies of ASBO International, one day a week, working from home whenon children have “snow or • The need to spend money professional attiredays” decreases. flexibility can take many forms: working from home one • The cost of childcare may decrease because parents and use of this imprint does not imply doctor appointments, setting custom hours, or compressing the work week. day a week, working from home when children have can work from home in the event of school holidays any endorsement or recognition by ASBO “snow days” or doctor appointments, setting custom Gone are the days of “staying late” toevents. finish work at the office. Today’s business or weather-related International and its officers or affiliates. hours, or compressing the work week. is more often done outside “office hours,” at meetings, at travel locations, and Benefits Gone are the days of “staying late” to finish work at often atPersonal most home. Thanks to technology, employees can work or learn anywhere, anytime, using
the office. Today’s business is more often done outside “office hours,” at meetings, at travel locations, and most 12 Ontario School Plant Manager | Summer 2020 often at home.
Having more control over their work hours allows employees to reduce stress as they balance work and personal time.
