25 Apr Balancing work and family promotes productivity
What is Flexible Work Arrangement (FWA)?
In spite of all the talk about balancing work and family, most people feel they must choose between the two, resulting in a high attrition in many workplaces. By creating a Flexible Work Arrangement, companies can keep good employees and not force them to choose between the two!
How does FWA help companies?
While balancing work and family have received a lot of attention over the years, the truth is there’s a lot of exaggeration. People work longer hours in super competitive work environments that pressure people to make their family their second priority. Many workers feel they must choose between work and family. Either they must comply with standards to get promotions or step aside their career for the family.
By creating a Flexible Work Arrangement, companies can keep good employees and not force them to sacrifice family life. An effective Flexible Work Arrangement will help them benefit both personally and professionally and that will result in people being more loyal, committed and productive.
Flexible Work Arrangement allows more options to employees who do not want or need a standard work schedule. A properly prepared Flexible Work Arrangement allows greater flexibility in balancing roles of work and home. It also can help prevent high performing employees from resigning and taking a less suitable position somewhere else. Most of the time a Flexible Work Arrangement involves working fewer hours and possibly a proportional reduction of pay and benefits.
The stigma which follows…
Despite providing their employees with Flexible Work Arrangements, organizations have witnessed drawbacks. People feel that physical presence equals more opportunity for promotions and development. Men particularly feel vulnerable to the stigma that “if you are not at work full-time you are not competitive.”
