The Modern Day Approach - If you don't consider flexible working in your organisation will you be the anomaly?

For quite some time we have addressed the concept of Flexible working within the workplace and the reasons why organisations are perhaps reluctant to make this company culture. There is the argument that it's great in theory, but the management required for its execution is particularly taxing. However with society and the workplace evolving, there is an argument to suggest those who don't adopt it will be left behind.

"It would be an exaggeration to suggest that the days of 9-5 being the predominant working pattern are a thing of the past – you only need head onto the roads in the early morning rush hour to appreciate that. But there is little doubt that forward-thinking business owners are now reviewing very carefully about the way their staff work – and whether asking them to work the same hours week in week out, is really to the benefit of either them, or the business." (https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk, 2017)

As stated there, the article goes on to suggest that it is the innovative businesses that are considering this approach. By listening to their employees they are able to ensure morale is maintained while productivity is is at the same time. It obviously can't apply to all industries but the article is suggesting that those who can and aren't adopting the approach are doing so for themselves and as a result may lose valuable assets to rivals.

"David Cliff says: "“The demands of the workforce, 24/7 culture, and the need to acquire requisite skills mean that employees have to display flexibility if they are to acquire and retain staff. A sensible approach to part-time working is absolutely critical, as many people who are skilled can return to the workplace if sufficient flexibility is offered by an employer where the full-time fixed hours contract would otherwise be a deal breaker, as it conflicts with the employee’s own personal circumstances."

So how does this apply to us here at Thinking Software?

For those of you not familiar with us here at Thinking Software, we have developed and support our Enterprise Time & Attendance solution, Rota Horizon.

It provides you with the perfect Workforce Management tool to accurately record and monitor employee attendance. Our solution also seamlessly integrates with the majority of Access Control Manufacturers hardware, more information on those we currently integrate with can be found Here.

The solution allows you to: Electronically plan your staff rotas more efficiently, produce over 150 Time & Attendance reports, Monitor lateness, absence & break times, Calculate employee work and overtime hours as well as exporting accumulated hours to any payroll system or excel spreadsheet to match these up against the relevant pay rates.

With reference to the article addressed specifically, we have touched upon how Rota Horizon can help organisation easily manage their staff working whether they are working traditional contract hours, or whether they are working on a flexible shift pattern. This is even to the point where they are able to dictate the hours they work outside their core hours should you so desire.

Below highlights how you can very easily set up when an individuals core hours start and finish, then you can specify when their bandwidth hours start and finish so the system knows when it's imperative for staff to be on site and when they choose to make up the rest of their contractual obligation.

Below highlights the 'Contracted Hours' report that very simply highlights exactly what employees have completed against their contractual obligation. This working in time with your Flexible working approach enables you to manage it effectively which has always been a big fear of organisations historically when considering this approach.

You can then couple this with the Self Service Module, the web based platform that enables staff to:

• Clock in/out (their GPS location is recorded when using a mobile)
• View their work schedule (past, present & future)
• Request annual leave/absence
• Check remaining holiday entitlement
• View unallocated shifts and request to work them
• Set their availability
• View their flexi-time balance

As described by the last point, there will be no justification for staff not completing the hours they are supposed to as they will have easy access to the same information that will also be visible by management. At the same time though staff are empowered to make their own decision around their work schedules- improving morale and making the organisation more desirable to work for.

For any additional information on Rota Horizon this can be found on our website at: https://www.thinking-software.com/rota-horizon/

Please also feel free to request a software web demonstration by Clicking Here or you can contact our Business Development Team any time on 0800 854 471.

To read the article discussed please Click Here.