How Flexible are You?

How Flexible Are You?

Recent studies tell us that balancing work and home is a myth! Something has got to give. When you are involved with your job, you think about it each day, whether you are shopping, shuffling the kids to their individual practices or going home in wall-to-wall traffic. The answer to this dilemma is flex time.

Working from home is actually less stressful and more productive than meeting with a dozen people all asking questions at almost the same time. One day of productive work is more rewarding than three disconnected days in the office. Unfortunately, the longer you work at the same facility/agency, the more entrenched you become and you stray into the thought that nobody can handle the work except you. That is far from the truth because if you retired, the work arena would survive.

If you have a job that requires your being in attendance each day, delegate some of your duties and take some time off during the week. Take a spa break, go away from home and enjoy being by yourself or with your favorite person. (not a cohort) Work related relationships must stay at work. The more intertwined with your staff, the more you become in need of them and vice-versa.

Employees are often controlled by the company they work for and are given little leeway. Those in charge believe that allowing employees some control over their own schedules causes less productivity. Studies have shown that the opposite is true. An employee with a good work ethic can produce more when the chains are discarded and when trust of the employee is a given.

Unfortunately, bosses think that lunches and celebrations are the best benefits given to employees. Granted this is the fun part for the employees, but the benefit of raises periodically is far more conducive to productivity. The boss who depends on certain employees but does not reimburse them for a job well done is just not in tune with the times.
Self absorbed bosses who do not keep up with business changes is wearing blinders. Flex time in today's society and in successful companies takes precedence over the old way of using employees and expecting them to produce.

Millenians in this day and age will not work for a company who expects employers to treat them as lesser than. They speak up for their rights. Work is but one part of their lives.

Respect is still alive and demands are greater now than in earlier years. Therefore, now is the time to consider flexible work hours. Grant the employees who are dedicated to the job some degree of flexibility.

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Gloria M. Reiske is an MSW, LCSW with more than thirty years experience in education, Administration, social work, and coaching. She has authored many articles and is published in local media, having written a men and grief manual for training purposes throughout Virginia and an article for children and grief.