Customizable Work Schedules

Workplace flexibility is more than a four day working week, remote work or nine-day fortnight. What are the options and exactly how personalised can flexible work arrangements become? Thanks to the Geraldton Guardian newspaper for publishing my piece on this topic. Working remotely, hybrid work arrangements, and the four-day workweek are among the smorgasbord of flexible work treats now available at an increasing number of workplaces. While these options have been gobbled up by some workers, they might not satisfy everyone's appetite for workplace flexibility. The growing demand for flexible work arrangements is about to get a whole lot more personal, with an increasing number of options being put on the table for workers to choose from. The modern workplace is made up of individuals with widely varying personal situations, yet too often they are served a one-size-fits-all menu when it comes to flexible work arrangements. Consider remote and hybrid work arrangements. While many workers enjoy these flexible options, others prefer to keep their personal and work lives separate and do not find these arrangements appetising at all. This emphasizes the need for workplaces to dish up a more varied menu of flexible work options, catering to the diverse tastes and needs of their employees, ensuring everyone can find an arrangement that suits their unique lifestyle. They are plenty of flexible work options that can be put on the table many of which have been on the menu for some time, although we’ve yet to truly dish them out. Many workers prefer the flexibility of part-time work but are locked into full-time roles. There is often hesitation to convert these roles, fearing reduced employee dedication. When converting full-time roles to part-time is not feasible, job sharing—where two or more part-time employees share the responsibilities of a single full-time position—can be a viable alternative. Staggered start and finish times allow employees to adjust their working hours to better fit their personal lives, such as starting earlier or finishing later. Split schedules allow employees to divide their work hours into segments, such as working 8 am to 12 noon in the office, taking a break, and then working 4 pm to 8 pm from home. Purchased leave allows employees to buy additional leave days beyond their standard entitlement, enabling them to take extended time off for personal needs, vacations, or other commitments by deducting the cost from their salary. A deferred salary leave plan lets employees work for several years at 80% pay, saving the deferred portion to fund an extended break while still receiving a reduced salary. The variety of options on the menu means that while some employees savour a four-day week, others will relish staggered hours, and still others will opt for split schedules or time banking. #flexibleworkarrangements #flexibility #workplace #management #job #humanresources #leadership #AIMWA

Are you getting emotional?   Yesterday’s newsletter* mentioned the need for leaders to develop higher EQ (emotional intelligence) to succeed in the next few years. That’s because, as AI grows in the workplace, our people with their very human needs become all the more valuable. This includes the need to avoid burnout.   Such needs can be legislated, like the 40-hour work week or growing right-to-disconnect-after-hours laws. But legislation is a lowest common denominator game, enforcing a one-size-fits-all approach; and, let’s face it, some of us like to work long hours, or to connect at whatever time of day or night an insight hits us.   So what’s the answer?   Customization. EQ enables you to pay closer attention to the differing needs of each individual on your team. Adapt their work structure to best fit them. New parent? Flex schedule is a must. Night owl? Workday starts at noon. Ambitious overachiever? Comfy office chair for their long hours, and plot a career advancement path for their ambition.   The pay-off is huge. These moves tend to heighten productivity, engagement, and loyalty. They make recruitment breezier, too. By focusing on the employee instead of tradition, you pave the way for success in our rapidly evolving world.   *In case you missed it, here’s the link to the newsletter: https://lnkd.in/g2mSE_7W

Did you know your body's natural rhythms can significantly impact your productivity and well-being? This is where chronobiology comes in! 🕰️ Chronobiology is the science of natural physiological rhythms. It explores how aligning our work schedules with our circadian rhythms can enhance performance and overall health. Aligning work schedules with natural rhythms can: Boost productivity Improve mental clarity Enhance overall well-being Research by the National Institutes of Health shows that working in sync with our circadian rhythms can increase productivity by up to 20%. Here’s how leaders might explore shaping work schedules around chronobiology for themselves and their teams: Identify Peak Performance Times: Determine when your energy levels are highest. Flexible Scheduling: Allow employees to work more during their peak times. Regular Breaks: Schedule breaks to prevent burnout and maintain focus. Natural Light: Ensure workspaces have access to natural light to regulate circadian rhythms. Organizations like Google and Patagonia have successfully implemented chronobiology principles, resulting in happier, more productive employees. For instance, Patagonia’s flexible work hours have been linked to increased job satisfaction and reduced turnover rates. The field of workplace chronobiology is evolving. Future trends indicate: Personalized work schedules based on individual circadian data. Advanced tools to monitor and optimize productivity in real-time. Greater emphasis on mental health and well-being. Aligning work schedules with natural rhythms is more than a whim; it's a shift towards a healthier, more productive work environment. #Chronobiology #Productivity #WorkLifeBalance #CircadianRhythms #EmployeeWellbeing #FutureOfWork

🚀 𝐂𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐝𝐮𝐥𝐞 𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐘𝐨𝐮 A few years ago, I felt like I was constantly playing catch-up. My to-do list was never-ending, my inbox was overflowing, and no matter how hard I worked, I always felt behind. 𝐒𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝐟𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐫? One of my clients was in the same position balancing her full time job while trying to grow her coaching business. Every day felt like a battle between what she had to do and what she wanted to do. 𝘏𝘦𝘳 𝘴𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘥𝘶𝘭𝘦 𝘭𝘰𝘰𝘬𝘦𝘥 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴: 📌 Working 9-5 at her full-time job 📌 Jumping on client calls during lunch breaks 📌 Trying to squeeze in follow-ups between meetings 📌 Creating content late at night when she was already exhausted 📌 Attempting to network and engage on LinkedIn whenever she had a free second 📌 Struggling to make time for the gym, eating healthy, or even a simple coffee date with friends 𝐈𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮? I get it—because I’ve been there too. I know exactly what it’s like to run a business full-time while working a 9-to-5 job. There were days when I felt like I was running on fumes, and no matter how much I worked, I wasn’t making the progress I hoped for. That’s when I realized: it wasn’t about having more time, it was about using my time better. 𝑺𝒐 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒎𝒚 𝒄𝒍𝒊𝒆𝒏𝒕, 𝒘𝒆 𝒎𝒂𝒅𝒆 𝒔𝒐𝒎𝒆 𝒑𝒐𝒘𝒆𝒓𝒇𝒖𝒍 𝒔𝒉𝒊𝒇𝒕𝒔: ✅ Time blocking—She dedicated set hours for client work, content creation, and follow-ups, rather than squeezing them in randomly. ✅ Prioritization—We focused on the highest-impact activities instead of trying to do everything at once. ✅ Batch working—Instead of daily content stress, she planned and scheduled her posts weekly. ✅ Energy management—She scheduled deep-focus tasks for when she had the most mental clarity, rather than forcing work when she was drained. ✅ Boundaries—She set work hours for her business, making sure she still had time to go to the gym, eat well, and have a social life. Within weeks, she wasn’t just getting more done—she was actually feeling in control. Her business was growing, her stress was decreasing, and she had more time for herself. 👉🏼 𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐞’𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐓𝐫𝐮𝐭𝐡 👈🏼 A schedule isn’t about cramming as much as possible into your day. It’s about designing your time intentionally so you can grow your business while still managing your job, your health, and your life. If you’re juggling a full-time job and a growing business, you don’t have to do it alone. I’ve been where you are, and I can help you create a schedule that actually works for you. 💬 DM me or comment below if you want to create a schedule that helps you grow without the burnout. #TimeManagement #Productivity #WorkSmarter #mycoachviviana

☀️ Considering a Summer Schedule? Let’s Talk 4/10 and 9/80. Looking to offer flexibility without losing productivity? A 4/10 schedule means employees work four 10-hour days, earning a consistent 3-day weekend. A 9/80 schedule stretches over two weeks—eight 9-hour days, one 8-hour Friday, followed by a Friday off the next week. Both total 80 hours but offer well-earned breaks. To implement: ✔️ Communicate clearly with your team—set expectations, define availability, and stay transparent. ✔️ Track hours accurately and review regularly to meet labor reporting requirements. ✔️ Ensure compliance with overtime rules and update your policies accordingly. Some states require paperwork for this. With thoughtful planning, these schedules can support both your team’s well-being and your business goals. #HRBestPractices #WorkforcePlanning #EmployeeWellbeing #SummerSchedule #BusinessLeadership #HRCompliance #bethechangeHR #BTC #BeTheChange #HRConsulting

When people think about remote work, they often focus on the location — working from home, skipping the commute. But the real game-changer? **Flexibility.** The freedom to build a schedule around your real life — not the other way around. I’ve seen it firsthand over the years: --Moms able to work during naptime or school hours --Employees fitting in therapy, workouts, or caregiving without guilt --Small businesses retaining incredible talent because they trusted them to get the job done — on their own time One client recently shared that after switching to flexible hours, their team’s productivity went up 23%, and morale improved almost overnight. Because when people are given room to breathe, they show up better. --For their work. --For their families. --And for themselves. Flexibility isn’t a perk — it’s a strategy. One that benefits both the worker and the business in the long run. Have you seen flexible work schedules improve your business and morale?  #RemoteWork #FlexibleWork #MentalHealthMatters #FamilyFirst #WorkLifeBalance #HireMyMom #SmallBusinessLeadership #WomenInBusiness #ProductivityTips #WorkThatWorks