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A balance between flexibility level and companies’ position on discipline is vital for obtaining the desired result i.e. higher productivity. Hina Kazi, FCA Farhad Rajabali, ACA Karachi Dubai, UAE Flexi hours, also called flexi-time or flex-time is an arrangement Productivity in industrial terms is the rate of output per unit of whereby the employee is allowed to alter the traditional working input. This definition may have been valid for employees working hours of the day from arrival till departure in agreement with in the industrial age but maybe not so much now in the digital the employer in accordance with their circumstances. Such age. In the digital age productivity is a derivative of innovation and creativity. To thrive in the digital world, you have to outpace arrangements could be compressed work days, flexible working competition by novelty and invention. Hence, the notion of a 9 to hours, work from home or telecommuting. It is commonly seen that 5 desk job is being challenged more and more and being replaced flexible working hours make an employee a lot more productive, with more flexible work schedules, as creativity doesn’t follow a 9 to effective and efficient in terms of increased engagement and 5 path; it can strike at any hour. ‘A happy employee is a productive commitment towards the employer, producing quality work and employee’ and for most people happiness equates to freedom; meeting deadlines, than their regular 9 to 5 colleagues. freedom of being able to manage their own time and being in control of their tasks while maintaining a work-life balance. This Why is that so? Apparently, it seems that the employee who is becomes even more important for working parents who also need not working within the regular prescribed working hours will not to look after their young ones. It is also understandable that not all jobs can be moved to flexi hours, as you will, for instance, require be a useful and worthwhile resource for any organisation; but doctors, fire fighters, factory workmen or security personnel to be over the years, it has been proved that employees on flexible available during certain hours of the day or probably around the working arrangements have demonstrated themselves to be clock in some cases. However, technology is making it possible for more motivated, determined and competitive in achieving their more and more jobs to be carried out offline, with a more flexible targets and goals. Not only ambitious and aspiring, they have work schedule without compromising productivity, on the contrary, improved job satisfaction and high morale as they are able increasing productivity for the more innovative tasks. So, in the to accommodate their work schedule along with their family digital world as we continue to redefine productivity, we should commitments and obligations; thus achieving a desired work-life also endeavour to redefine work schedules for an organisation’s most valuable resource – people! balance and strong professional development at the same time. Due to the fact that such employees are working on their own convenient time, they have better health and safety as they do not undergo long continuous hours of stressful work; better health thus means reduced levels of sickness absence and tardiness. This results in a happy, dynamic and vibrant worker who is an asset Zafar Abdul Razzak, ACA for any organisation. Researches have proved that strict and long Karachi monotonous hours of work are often hazardous to employees’ physical and psychological health which, in turn, affects a company’s profits and business objectives. Flexi timing for work not only makes an employee more It is not only the employee who benefits with the flexible productive but also encourages and motivates him/her to perform working pattern but the employer also reaps the advantages. in a more efficient, effective and well-organised manner. Flexi time Such an arrangement results not only in cost savings and allows the employee to get involved in other activities and also reduced overheads for an employer but an ideal working meet his personal commitments. On the other hand, for employers environment for the employee which in the long-run attracts it resolves the issues of absenteeism due to personal commitment of employees during office timings. Also, it plays a significant role and retains a skilled and diverse workforce and also prevent to reduce employee turnover and helps in retention of valuable turnover of valuable and experienced staff. A satisfied employee and quality staff. By adopting flexi timings, employees can easily will be more loyal and thus, strong employer-employee relations select their best hours’ time to do the work. This is good for both are built this way. the employee and the employer. Nearly all jobs these days can offer flexibility to employees as an incentive. However, there are still exceptions and many are not suitable to provide flexibility due to the nature and requirements of the work, like nursing care, front-end customer relationship Saleem, FCA, FCMA management, assembly-line manufacturing, etc. Nevertheless, Karachi a number of professions owing to their nature of job attract employees offering themselves for flexi-working hours such as on-line jobs, consultants, advisors, business analysts, project managers, account managers, lawyers, etc. So, a mix of flexible Flexi hours is a buzzword nowadays. You cannot say Yes or No working hours and fixed traditional hours can create a healthy straight away for flexi hours. It depends on the type of work, office working style for an organisation which enables to recruit and location, commute time, personal needs, one to one contact with retain the best possible workforce. the boss and subordinate, etc. January - March 2018 The Pakistan Accountant 45