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Signature Qualification CA that Empowers to Lead PAKISTAN Even multinational companies operating in Pakistan mostly do not practice flexi hours while their sister concerns could be using flexi hours in other parts of the world. or developing countries. In fact, by and large we practice rigidity strong professional development and are far more empowered and would like to stick to fixed working hours. Even multinational and supported by their boss, whilst also getting more time to companies operating in Pakistan mostly do not practice flexi hours spend with their families. The main benefit of working flexibly for while their sister concerns could be using flexi hours in other parts employees is that it offers the chance to fit other commitments of the world. and activities around work and make better use of free time. In a nutshell, through working flexi hours the focus is never on We should adopt flexi hours since it: clocking the hours, but on achieving and delivering the required ▪ helps staff to take care of family matters, e.g. pick and drop results. children to/from school or be with them after school hours; ▪ take care of elderly parents or a handicap family member; Michael Dell, chairman and CEO of Dell rightly said: “Technology ▪ gives choice to staff to organise their day according to their now allows people to connect anytime, anywhere, to anyone in personal requirement yet remaining very productive in their the world, from almost any device. This is dramatically changing work; and the way people work, facilitating 24/7 collaboration with ▪ make staff more relaxed resulting in better productivity/output. colleagues who are dispersed across time zones, countries and continents.” Caution: bosses/supervisors must ensure that if they adopt flexi hours, the rest of the staff should not suffer due to regular/forced late sittings. Syed Muneer Hussain, FCA Karachi Adnan Munir, ACA Lahore First of all, we need to understand the meaning of flexi hours and productivity. Flexi hours is a flexible time policy which allows the staff to I think flexi hours are very useful for both employees and employers. determine when they will work. Under flexi-time, an employee Employees can fine-tune their official timings according to their usually consents to work a certain number of hours per week, personal schedule like pick and drop of children, exercise time and fortnight or month, but to complete them at times which suit him other social and religious commitments, etc. The liberty to manage your own time will shape your self-confidence and upsurge your or her. sense of responsibility to the role and the business. This, in turn, will Productivity is an assessment of efficiency and may be evaluated improve your feeling of ownership, making your job more gratifying in terms of output of an employee in a specific period of time. and nourishing. In this way, employees will become motivated and productive due to more concentration on the job being free from all personal work and worries. Employers can benefit from reduction Human beings are not machines. People have their needs and personal activities which are equally important. in sick and casual leaves by flexi timings. Both the parties can take full advantage by mutual understanding. In my point of view, flexi Flexi timing is the solution to accommodating personal work on timings create a win-win situation for all concerned. However, flexi the required times. It’s a trust building measure, providing ease to hours can challenge the culture and customs of the organisation and needs to be implemented after thorough analysis of unique values employees to manage work-life balance. It provides stronger sense of autonomy to them; they feel more valued and will be more of that particular organisation. energetic. They will understand that the focus is on meeting goals/ output. Muhammad Athar Jamal, ACA Karachi Owais Usman Ghani, ACA Karachi Globalisation, a competitive environment and technological advancement mean most of us work at times and in places that Yes, it makes employees more productive. Flexi working hours don’t fit the traditional 9 to 5, Monday to Friday pattern. has a positive impact on the employees and enable them to achieve their goals which are congruent with the employers’ I do believe that yes, flexi hours make employees more productive goals, alleviating the inefficiencies among the employees and help as compared to other employees. Employees who were placed employers sustain growth. In strict working hours, employees feel on a flexibility program were both happier at work and highly job stress and are less motivated and watching the clock and when the satisfied and less prone to burnout and psychological stress. time is up, they run home. Hence, employees who work in flexi hours try to focus more on Moreover, flexi working hours are good for employees who want outcomes than face time. They have good work-life balance and to excel in their career as they can continue their progression in 50 The Pakistan Accountant January - March 2018