Faida za Masaa ya Kazi kuwa Flexible kwa Wafanyakazi

Flexible working hours are among the most important things on the wish list of many employees. Nowadays, flexible working hours are becoming important due to the benefits it gives to employees and employers. A study conducted in Tanzania shows that greater employee productivity and higher organization profitability are the most common benefits. Flexible working hours are highly desired by African Millennials. It gives them the freedom to adjust their work schedule and social life. It also helps them to plan when to arrive and leave the office at a reasonable time. This can be easy and possible depending on the type of work and the discipline of employees.

Here are the 6 benefits of flexible working hours:

1. Increases Room for Creativity
flexible working hours increases room for creativity

Happy and contented employees are those who get the chance to work on a flexible schedule. It gives a room for thinking outside the box and be more innovative.  Although this might not be the case for some employees, spending a long time in the same environment can limit the creative possibilities. A change of environment can be a catalyst for creativity to employees.

Depending on work processes, ongoing projects or general working culture, some employees are more actively involved when they come into the office at flexible times. That is why employers should consider the nature of work and the type of employee when considering arranging flexible hours.

2. Less Cost
The costs of office materials drop when there are flexible working hours. Instead of having desks and chairs per individual, you can create communal working tools in comfortable arrangement to be used by the employees when they are at the office. Office tools can be shared by most as well as the office can have the advantage of not having to increase working space/office.

3. Increase productivity
flexible working hours increase productivity

A study shows that productivity increases when an employee has the ability to work remotely from anywhere they are comfortable.  For those working at home, they are able to manage their time wisely and might start work even earlier and finish earlier. The results of this have been witnessed in developed countries where nearly two-thirds (60 per cent) of HR directors have seen an increase in work productivity that demonstrates the business benefits of flexible working.

4. Manageable
Flexible working hours does not only allow employees to spend the minimum working hours in the office and the rest somewhere else more comfortable.  It also requires self-management when working outside the office. If employees prefer to work flexibly, they will aim to have as little disruption as possible, minimizing the need to be physically supervised,  and might need little assistance from their managers.

Moreover working lifestyle has been simplified by many Apps and technological tools that allow employees to stay connected even when outside the working premises.  Management Apps like Trello, Slack, etc. gives room to employees and employers to work remotely and make follow-ups on the work even when miles apart. Online Platforms that makes this possible also prove that flexible working hours can give good results and minimum supervision. Employees can actually balance their working and life and have time to engage in social life on the process.

5. Supports Employees Well Being
flexible working hours supports employees well-being

One of the important benefits of flexible working hours is it boosts employees’  morale and improves their physical and mental wellbeing. The wellbeing of the employees is the key concern for many employers, and implementing flexible working hours can ensure employee wellbeing. When employees have flexible working hours, they are likely to be less tired. Spending a few hours at work can also prevent burnout and stress that can be the result of toxic workplace culture.

6. Reduce Staff Turnover
Many employees who are offered flexible working opportunities see this chance as a sign that they are valued by the company. It gives room to be more responsible even when they are working remotely. Many employees will choose to continue working in an environment that offers them such freedom. This factor will reduce the rate of turnover.

When used appropriately flexible working hours can mutually benefit both sides, it’s not just employees who stand to gain from such initiatives.

Currently, in Africa, employers are more concerned about how millennials are adjusting to working lifestyle.  For millennials, work-life balance is an important factor when choosing their jobs. Millennials are creative and have potentials to do better than other generations; this might be due to current advancement in technology that enables more work to be done more easily. So with flexible working hours, much can be accomplished by the employees who will get the chance to experience that. With this, they can work harder than ever to deliver results.