Know your flexible work options
Flexible work refers to the way we plan and design work – when it takes place, where it takes place and how we do it!
Many organisations design their business model and processes around one type of role: full-time, 9-5, permanent, one person does one job. But there are many other ways to cut a cake! There are hundreds of permutations of flexible work.
It is understandably hard for organisations to pivot to offer all options. Role design is central to addressing this challenge and equipping organisations to support meaningful, flexible work options in a consistent way across the company.
There are 6 dimensions to flexible work — which can create hundreds of different flexible work options.
Flex factor
When
Flex role type
Reduced hours
Flex role
Part-time (< 38 hours/week)
Reducing overworking/burnout back to normal
Job share
Job split
School term working
9-day fortnight
Impact
Increase job creation
Increase workforce participation
Gender equity
Inclusive of sick/disabled employees
Flex factor
When
Flex role type
Non-traditional hours
Flex role
Flexible start/end times
Compressed work week (hours are done in shorter time)
Same number of hours each week, done at any time
Impact
Increase mental health/wellbeing
Reduce transport burden
Increase productivity
Flex factor
Where
Flex role type
Blended location
Flex role
Part office, part working-from-home
Location is dependent on work type (eg. collaboration, workshops in office, WFH the rest)
Impact
Reduce real estate costs
Reduce environmental impact of commute
Increase mental health/wellbeing
Increase productivity
Flex factor
Where
Flex role type
Remote working
Flex role
100% working from home/not at HQ
Work from anywhere in the world
Impact
Increase regional and rural employment opportunities
Increase workforce participation
Increase talent pools
Flex factor
How
Flex role type
Ad-hoc flex needs
Flex role
Flex up, flex down across weeks and projects
Impact
Increase retention and engagement
Flex factor
How
Flex role type
Minimal travel
Flex role type
Agreement to engage with clients virtually
Impact
Increase gender equity
Increase diversity and inclusion for people with a disability and carers for instance
Take action
Has a team member requested more flexibility?