This month, the trend-setting state of Utah established flex hours for their employees. This morning, the Washington Post has a good article about its momentum as a movement in business.
Such scheduling arrangements, in which employees work longer hours but
fewer days, share jobs or stagger start or quitting times, have been a
part of the U.S. workplace for years. But in recent months, interest in
flextime has been growing quickly. From Howard County to Chrysler‘s
manufacturing lines, employers who want to cut costs, show
environmental sensitivity and attract young workers who seek flexible
schedules are brushing aside some critics’ productivity concerns to
embrace the new proposals.
In my former life as an employee for other people, I had bosses who embraced and rejected this flex-time idea. As a knowledge worker, I’m far better at 5AM than at 2PM. One boss got that and gave me the keys to the place. The other wanted it his way.
I still send work and referrals to the former. I still hope the other gets lots of mosquito bites.
I’m certain I’ve said this before: As an owner or even supervisor, your most important customers are your employees. How can you make it easier for them to give you their best?
Great post. To add on to what you said, as flex hours evolve, retail businesses may need to start considering how this will alter the way they do business. They may have to increase staff during typically slow hours, they may have to extend their hours. They may have to… well, there is a lot to think about.
The option of flex hour will start to change the way individuals shop and do business. The effect is not going to only be seen by the companies providing the option, it’s going to be seen in all of the retail business.