For those of us lucky enough to have jobs where we can make our own hours or take off early to pick up the kids from school whenever the need arises may not know just how good we (and our bosses) have it. New reports on flexible work schedules have been coming out recently and prove that workers who have this kind of flexibility show improvements to their health and perform better on the job.
A recent article from Time magazine reports on new research that focuses on 10 different studies relating to flexible work schedules. The research study, published in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, shows that employees who were given an opportunity to make their own schedule, like shift their start time for example, saw marked improvement in their health. Specifically, improvements in blood pressure, alertness, sleep quality, tiredness, and heart rate were seen in the employees who were given flexible schedules.
Many of these improvements are not just good news to the employee, but employers would obviously benefit with workers who were more alert and less tired on the job. Employees on this type of schedule also felt a better sense of community within the workplace. And after studying some 1,600 employees, research shows no negative effects of having a flexible work schedule.
Many are hoping the findings from this research will have some positive effects on the way we work in this country. According to 2009 estimates from the AARP , less than 1/3 of working Americans have any type of flexible work option. Scandinavia and the U.K. appear to be ahead of the game where this type of flexibility is becoming more popular with workers there. The British government recently changed a policy that used to allow parents of children 6 and under to request a flexible work schedule. Under the new policy, parents of children age 16 and under now have this benefit.
What do you think of the flexible work schedule?
Do you think this type of schedule would benefit your health and lifestyle?
A flexible schedule is my number one source of job satisfaction right behind medical benefits. I love to work out and a flexible schedule gives me the time to do that.
MadHatter::
on Mar 02, 2010
i dont know if this article was a god sent message, but then i just got out of a meeting where we are going to get flexiable hours! i am so happy! now i can get home earlier and get what needs to be done sooner!!!
dee00014::
on Mar 11, 2010
I also think a fllexible work schedule would be great people that have a flexible schedule, is very blessed.
babesnhun::
on Mar 13, 2010
One of the best thing on earth is working a flexible schedule. I have threee children and now my youngest is a senior in high school and I have been woeking this type of schedule since my first child. Able to be home when they were home from school Or off on days they had off from school worked out as well. Now I have grandchildren and to be home for them is awesome. Way to go flexible schedule! Got my vote!
lughead13::
on Mar 18, 2010
I have a flexible work schedule where I can work from home so many days a month. With a 7 month old in daycare, I can arrange my schedule to be present for events...and get the laundry done, bake a batch of cookies for an event. Would like to work from home full-time to be able to better manage my work/family/household chores balance.
jh0816::
on Jun 12, 2010
I think this is a good idea. I remember when my husband worked nights until 1am or later and I would have the usual day hours and I was not worth anything first thing in the morning. I loved 10am - 7pm shifts when I could get them.
