9 minute read
Today's flexible workplace/workspace
Today’s flexible MANAGING PEOPLE & TIME workplace/workspace 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.
By Karen Starr, Ph.D.
Thanks to technology, employees can work or learn anywhere, anytime, using myriad devices. As a result, employers and employees recognize the mutual benefits of the flexible workplace and increasingly, employees expect and demand a degree of flexibility in their working lives. This article originally appeared in the March 2020 School Business Affairs magazine and is reprinted with permission T hanks to technology, employees can work or learn anywhere, anytime, using myriad devices. As a result, employers and employees recognize the mutual benefits of the flexible workplace The Benefits of Flexibility Flexibility in the work structure has some distinct advantages for employees who work remotely from home. of the Association of School Business and increasingly, employees expect and demand a degree Cost Savings
Flexible work can be defined as working remotely from home, telecommuting, teleworking, and being a nomadic worker. Whatever the nomenclature, workplace flexibility can take many forms: working from home Officials International (ASBO). The text herein does not necessarily represent the of flexibility in their working lives. Flexible work can be defined as working remotely from home, telecommuting, teleworking, and being a • Automotive commuting expense for fuel, tolls, and vehicle maintenance decrease, as do costs for using public transportation. views or policies of ASBO International, nomadic worker. Whatever the nomenclature, one day a week, working from home when children have “snow days” or workplace • The need to spend money on professional attire decreases. and use of this imprint does not imply flexibility can take many forms: working from doctor appointments, setting custom hours, or compressing the work week. home one • The cost of childcare may decrease because parents
Gone are the days of “staying late” to finish work at the office. Today’s business is more often done outside “office hours,” at meetings, at travel locations, and any endorsement or recognition by ASBO International and its officers or affiliates. day a week, working from home when children have “snow days” or doctor appointments, setting custom hours, or compressing the work week. can work from home in the event of school holidays or weather-related events.
Gone are the days of “staying late” to finish most often at home. work at Personal Benefits the office. Today’s business is more often done outside Having more control over their work hours allows
“office hours,” at meetings, at travel locations, and most employees to reduce stress as they balance work and Ontario School Plant Manager 12 often at home. | Summer 2020 personal time.
Flexibility in the work structure has some distinct advantages for employees who work remotely from home.
Cost savings
• Automotive commuting expense for fuel, tolls, and vehicle maintenance decrease, as do costs for using public transportation.
• The need to spend money on professional attire decreases.
• The cost of childcare may decrease because parents can work from home in the event of school holidays or weather-related events.
Personal benefits
Having more control over their work hours allows employees to reduce stress as they balance work and personal time.
• Choosing what to do and when to do it provides a sense of freedom.
• Flexibility encourages independence, personal responsibility, and self-managed accountability.
• Proximity to the office becomes less important as employees choose where they want to live.
• The rigors of commuting, whether by car or public transportation, are reduced or eliminated.
Organization benefits
Time and geography are not critical factors. Workers and their work can travel anywhere with only time zones to consider.
• Organizations can save money on utilities, office supplies, and cost of office space.
• Flexible work encourages innovation and entrepreneurialism.
Workers can exercise more creativity, finding their own solutions to problems.
• Providing flexible work is a benefit that can expand the size of the talent pool and improve employee retention.
• Weather is not a factor; people can work regardless of extreme conditions.
• Flexibility improves productivity. Employees who are allowed flexible schedules often work beyond the hours for which they are paid.
The draw bac ks
There are drawbacks to flexible work schedules as well.
Distractions
• Household chores can be hard to ignore.
Wher e Do Wor ker s Wor k?
In 2013–2017, employed people spent most of their work hours at their workplaces. This was true for people employed in management, professional, and related (MPR) occupations and those employed in other occupations. However, the American Time Use Survey data also show that people employed in MPR occupations averaged more time working at home than did workers employed in other occupations, and their hours at home have changed somewhat over time.
On average, MPR workers spent less time working at their workplaces and more time working at their homes in 2013–2017 than in 2003–2007. This change in work location occurred mainly on weekdays.
MPR workers average worktime per day in 2013–2017 varied by work location. Those who worked only at home did so for the shortest average duration, and those who worked both at their workplace and at home did so for the longest average duration. These results reflect that people work at different locations for a variety of reasons, such as to accommodate appointments or other commitments, and to catch up on work.
MPR workers were less likely to work at their workplaces and more likely to perform work at their homes on weekend days than on weekdays. Additionally, on average, MPR workers who spent time working at home on weekend days did so for a shorter duration than those who spent time working at home on weekdays.
In the analysis of specific MPR occupations, workers employed in arts, design, entertainment, sports, and media occupations and in education, training, and library occupations were found to be among those least likely to perform their work only at their workplace on days they spent time working. By contrast, workers employed in healthcare practitioner and technical occupations were among those most likely to work only at their workplaces.
From “Where Did Workers Perform Their Jobs in the Early 21st Century?” by Rachel M, Krantz-Kent. Monthly Labor Review, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, July 2019. https://doi.org/10.21916/mlr.2019.16.
• Without a home office, employees may be inefficient as they choose to work from the couch or at the kitchen table.
• Without self-discipline and organization, productive work autonomy is impossible.
• Unless at-home workers set limits on distractions by family, friends, and social media, working productively from home can be a challenge.
Lack of resources Pretium: • Out of sight, out of mind could be the plight of telecommuters who otherwise might have been considered for promotion. Working Together, Better • Reliable Internet is not guaranteed in all locales. Printers, scanners, and copy paper are not routinely provided at travel venues like hotels. Difficult work–life balance • Anywhere, anytime means it may be difficult to separate work S ince 1993, Pretium has served and assisted Ontario School Board stakeholders with Tendering, Construction Review and Contract Administration recognize the importance of schedules and budgets and ensure these are made a priority. • Technological support for problem solving may not be readily life and family life. physical asset management by providing • Facility Condition Assessments and Capital Should issues arise during a project, we available. specialist building science and structural Expenditure Plans • The expanded workday can increase expectations about work diligently to address them in a timely Accountability consulting engineering services. We are a Canadian controlled private • productivity. Workers may feel more pressure to perform and produce, which increases stress. Energy Performance; Auditing, Modeling, Commissioning, System Upgrades/Renewal, Deep manner, and we will work expeditiously to respond to questions. • Employers are not assured that employees are working the corporation with offices throughout Ontario, Energy Retrofits Performance and Durability reported number of hours a day. and a staff complement of over 60 building • Flexible work is here to stay, but employers and employees Climate Change Vulnerability Assessments Focused. We begin every project with an engineers and technologists. Pretium is one • must be aware of its pitfalls. Universal Design (Accessibility) evidence-based focus to properly diagnose • Flexible working arrangements can require a wide range of of the largest firms in Ontario focussing • Forensic Services and Litigation Support problems. This may involve intrusive openings, accountability mechanisms. solely on building engineering with Loo kin g Forwar d air and water leakage testing, infrared Isolation many staff having the “Building Science Specialist” (BSS) designation. Granted by the According to 2016 Gallup Analytics State of the American Consulting Engineers | Working Together, Better thermography or materials testing. This combined with our extensive experience are • Teambuilding may be difficult when members are not face to Workplace, “Organizations have nowhere to hide. They have to Ontario Building Envelope Council (OBEC), Our slogan not only describes how we critical to the development of pragmatic repair face. the BSS designation recognizes individuals adapt to the needs of the modern workforce, or they will find approach our internal operations, but also solutions that provide long lasting building • Remote workers are left out of office friendships; casual themselves struggling to attract and keep great employees and with additional education in building science embodies the approach to our work and our enclosure performance and durability. conversations and social banter that typically build therefore customers.” and a commitment to continuing education service to clients. We collaborate with our OECM Partner: Pretium is an relationships are not possible. in the field. Karen Starr is a professor and chair of School Development and clients and customize each project scope to suit approved OECM supplier partner for Facilities • Unless information and communication flow are formalized to ensure everyone is kept in the loop, remote workers can be left Leadership at Deakin University, Burwood, Australia. Email: karen.starr@deakin.edu.au. ¦ Key Service Areas: • Building Enclosure and Structural their objectives. One of our core values is ‘Responsiveness’ and we demonstrate this Project Management Services including renewal projects, building condition initiative projects, major repair projects, key renovation out of projects. Engineering; Investigation, Design, Specifications, by putting a priority on others’ needs. We projects, and new builds.
Building Enclosures
• Roofing • Glazing Systems • Exterior Walls
Pavement Stairs and Walkways
Repairs, Renewal, Replacement
• Investigation, Design & Specifications • Project Management
Full Facility Condition Assessments Design Support & Construction QA/QC Accessibility Consulting Forensic Services and Litigation Support
An Supplier Partner! (800) 838-8183
Suzanne.Santyr@PretiumEng.com www.PretiumEngineering.com
