Flexible Work Arrangements: Characteristics of Employees Who Are Successful in Navigating Flex Arrangements
Employees who tend to be successful with navigating flex arrangements tend to exhibit the following characteristics:
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Willingness to think creatively about job design and how/when work is performed
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Independent and sustained productivity
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Punctuality and demonstrated reliability
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Effective communication skills with management, colleagues, and potential clients
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Ability to maintain stamina during longer shift periods (compressed workweek and flextime arrangements)
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Teamwork and collaboration skills (especially critical for job shares)
Some employees and situations lend themselves to flexible work arrangements better than others. For instance, an employee who tends to be more productive during quieter periods of the day may find that a flexplace arrangement is helpful in increasing productivity, whereas an employee who has difficulty concentrating when the environment is quiet and prefers to work with a team of individuals throughout the day may find this arrangement more challenging.
All employees entering a flex arrangement should have already successfully completed his/her probationary period, unless hired into a job share or flex work arrangement from their first day of work.