Flexible work arrangements - how common are they?

Elessar

My employer will shortly be trialing a flexible work scheme whereby you can work from home the odd time, and work hours will be flexible (i.e. if you need to see the doctor, you don't have to take a half day, just go and pay back the hours some other time).

Unfortunately it's only in one section and I am moving to a different section so won't be able to avail. I'm just wondering how common this is in Ireland? Seems like a great approach to work. I've heard places like Vodafone have arrangements where it's a hot-desk workplace - i.e. there are no set desks for people you just take one whenever you come in for the amount of time you need, and working remotely is fine for the most part, just once you get the hours/work done.

I understand a lot of IT companies use this aswell and it's one of the perks that a lot of people will look for when choosing a company. Seems like a great idea and I'd love to have that kind of trust and flexibility in my work.

Though I have a feeling many Irish employers would be uncomfortable with the idea. They've never really been at the forefront of bright ideas when it comes to work!

Does anyone have this type of benefit?

EDIT: Will you mention what sector you work in?

Mrs OBumble

Officially, no: I am required to be at my workstation during all hours except authorized breaks. That's what the agency says anyway

In practice yes, due to the nature of the work: calls with people in Asia and the Americas at odd hours, projects with peaks and troughs, all day workshops sometimes, etc. It's all unofficial, agreed verbally with managers. If they started saying "no" to things, I would too.

sebcity

I work for a company that are very flexible. You are entrusted to work your 37.5 hours a week and to not take the pi$$. So you can start when you want, finish when you want and work from home if you want. Most people do general hours - come in between 7.30 - 9.30 and go home between 4 - 6 and possibly work one day a week from home. It's a great system and you don't need to ask if you need to make an appointment etc...everyone is happy. Obviously it would all go wrong if someone started abusing the system.

InReality

Most civil service depts have "flexi-time" - you have hours you have to be in , and hours between which you can start and finish.
Working from another location is possible and can be done "offically ", working from home can be done but would be up to manager to allow it.

TimeToShine

The company I work for has this policy. Come and go pretty much as you please and work from home if you wish. I must say it makes a pleasant change from another job where we were watched like hawks to make sure we weren't skimming 5 minutes off the clock.

When employers treat you with respect, you tend to respect them and it shows in the quality of your work. A 9-5 in IT/Engineering/Software is archaic and will be obsolete pretty soon.

who_me

Our office is like that. Very flexible with hours, some work from home 2-3 days a week. No problem with taking a coffee break or popping out on an errand when needed. And you'll have no one peering over your shoulder constantly to see if you're checking sports results or the latest news. Obviously, it's all based on the assumption that the works is being done in a timely manner and done well.

There is a trade-off though, they do expect you'll make yourself available on evenings/weekends if something urgent comes up or a deadline is potentially going to be missed.

There's a benefit to the company too - I'd find it very difficult to go to any company with strictly enforced hours and monitored breaks. It's a great way to hang onto staff.

crisco10

My company is very flexible also. everybody basically makes up their own work arrangements.

Everybody generally comes in between 8 and 9. And leaves between 4.30 and 5.30. Most people have their own predictable rhythm which does help. i.e. X will always be in before 8.30 but tends to be gone by 5 then they work from home on Fridays.

We also have the freedom to step out and do errands if needs be....

Needless to say, this works both ways; when work is on you need to finish it when it needs to be finished. Also, if your scheduling is particularly awkward for your team, you will be asked to have a look at it.

But none of this is "company policy"; more so company culture. Works great for the main part. And makes me think I would really struggle in a more strict organisation.

Elessar

This is something my company doesn't offer (as I said we are trialing it, but I feel its too radical a change for this organisation) but something I would love to have. I've found it's true that working for companies that respect staff enough not to hound them over time and attendance (just leave it to them to ensure everything is in order) are much better to work for generally. As another posted said you respect the company more and it shows in your work. It's definitely something I will be looking for in my next job.

What sector are you guys in?

Tar.Aldarion

We don't really work from home but people can take the odd day to do it and they take any situation into account. I could work from amsterdam for a week or so in any given month and they wouldn't mind, it was their idea. Hours are flexible in that it doesn't matter really when I come in or leave or take breaks. I can go to the doctor or vet or dentist or bank in the morning and come in late, it doesn't matter. We are doing our work and treating us otherwise would be like treating us as children and people would want to leave. You can tell how a good atmosphere helps with the amount of time people stay working here.

Certainly an important aspect when looking at a job.

Stheno

sebcity wrote: »

I work for a company that are very flexible. You are entrusted to work your 37.5 hours a week and to not take the pi$$. So you can start when you want, finish when you want and work from home if you want. Most people do general hours - come in between 7.30 - 9.30 and go home between 4 - 6 and possibly work one day a week from home. It's a great system and you don't need to ask if you need to make an appointment etc...everyone is happy. Obviously it would all go wrong if someone started abusing the system.

Place I'm in is even more flexible, we've a couple of different office locations

Some permanently work from home and come into the office a couple of times a month, others go into the office every day, some work out of whichever office is closest to them, etc. So we've a choice of locations to work from, including working from home whenever we want, and can also flex our hours, people can start anytime from 7am pretty much, and finish at an appropriate hour. It is very rare that you would be "required" to be physically present in a specific location. We also have all the technology to make sure that as long as we can access the web we can work anywhere. The industry is IT

edit: over the past 9 years and four jobs, only one didn't facilitate an arrangement like the above.

Irish_Elect_Eng

How common Flextime is really depends on your industry and your role.

If you are doing a job where inputs / outputs are linked to other people then it is simply not practical. ((Manufacturing, Service, Sales, etc) More traditional industries struggle with parting with the "clock-card" and trusting employees with flexible arrangements.

As a manager in R&D, I offer some flexibility, but not total flex, as we are balanced between project and support work. My team appreciate the ability to adjust their hours to balance work/life a little.