How does incorporating flexibility impact overall productivity in the workplace?5 answersIncorporating flexibility in the workplace positively impacts overall productivity by enhancing job satisfaction, reducing stress levels, and improving work-life balance. Studies show that flexible work arrangements (FWAs) lead to increased productivity, as evidenced by a positive statistical effect on workplace productivity. Additionally, the use of digital technology to enable work from home arrangements has further contributed to improved employee performance and organizational outcomes. However, challenges such as sedentary behavior and excessive work pressure during flexible working arrangements can hinder productivity. Overall, embracing flexibility not only boosts productivity but also enhances employee engagement, commitment, and organizational performance, making it a crucial aspect of modern work environments.
Does more flexibility at work reduce the gener pay gap?4 answersMore flexibility at work, particularly in terms of temporal flexibility, has been linked to the gender pay gap. Studies show that temporal flexibility has a U-shaped relationship with wage rates for both fathers and mothers, with a concave relationship specifically affecting the motherhood wage gap, reaching a maximum at around 55% of temporal flexibility. This flexibility often leads to women taking up lower-paying jobs that offer more time flexibility due to caregiving responsibilities, contributing to the lingering gender wage gap in the U.S.. Additionally, the promotion of flexible working arrangements tends to reinforce the gender pay gap by impacting women's current and future salaries more significantly than men's when they opt for flexible working arrangements.
How important is flexibility when volunteering?5 answersFlexibility is important when volunteering as it attracts and retains volunteers, allows them to choose how often and in what way they contribute, and helps organizations in the tourism sector to compete for volunteers' time. The concept of flexibility has been applied to volunteering, but research in this area is lagging behind practice. A conceptual model has been proposed to explore the levels of reciprocal flexibility between organizations and volunteers, and its impact on recruitment and retention. The trend towards flexible, episodic volunteer opportunities has led to the development of the concept of Volunteer Life Balance (VLB), which examines factors that impact volunteer participation and retention. An innovative framework based on flexibility theory has been suggested to assist organizations in developing flexible structures and strategies for managing volunteer and paid workforces. This partnership approach promotes enhanced performance outcomes and supportive relations between paid and unpaid workers.
Does flexible or remote work after covid ives impact to both men and women?5 answersFlexible or remote work after COVID-19 has different impacts on men and women. Research shows that women have taken on more responsibility for childcare and housework during the pandemic, leading to an increased workload for them. Additionally, the study conducted in Lithuania found that an overwork climate within organizations had a more pronounced effect on male employees, posing a risk to gender equality in work and private life. On the other hand, the study conducted in Saudi Arabia showed that flexible working arrangements, including remote work, improved the well-being of women employees and contributed to sustainable social development. Furthermore, the study using data from Germany found that working from home during regular work hours (replacement work-from-home) was associated with better well-being and higher job satisfaction, but higher work-to-family conflict, while working from home outside of regular hours (extension work-from-home) had more negative effects on women's well-being and work-to-family conflict.
How flexibility approach enhance gender equality?4 answersFlexible working approaches have the potential to enhance gender equality. Research shows that gender matters in understanding the outcomes of flexible working, but it also varies in different contexts. For example, a study on a flexible work initiative in a Big Four accounting firm found that the program, designed to promote gender equality, actually reinforced gender barriers. To achieve gender equality, it is important to broaden the notion of flexibility beyond highly paid professional workers and include collectively bargained arrangements across various occupations. This includes expanding negotiation processes beyond the organizational sphere of control and addressing new forms of negotiated flexibility such as control over work-life boundaries and technological availability. By reconceptualizing flexibility as a collective right, workers can customize their work arrangements to benefit employers, employees, and society as a whole. The use of flexible working, such as flexitime and teleworking, has been found to help women maintain their careers after childbirth, contributing to gender equality in the labor market. Overall, a flexible approach to work can play a significant role in enhancing gender equality by addressing work-life balance issues and supporting women's career progression.
What are the benefits of HR flexibility for employees?5 answersHR flexibility provides several benefits for employees. Firstly, it enables employees to adjust their work schedules and locations to better align with their personal needs and responsibilities, such as parental or care functions. This flexibility allows employees to have a better work-life balance and reduces stressors associated with conflicting professional and private life spheres. Secondly, HR flexibility empowers employees by giving them the ability to make decisions and take ownership of their work, which promotes their personal growth and development. Additionally, it fosters employee engagement and commitment by integrating their personal goals with the interests of the organization. Finally, HR flexibility contributes to the overall well-being of aging employees, as it provides them with supportive strategies and technologies that enhance their performance and work attitudes.