Exploring Flexible Work's Effect on Productivity

The Impact of Flexible Working Time on Productivity in Ghana

Adwoa Asempa lives in Abokobi and works in the central business district of Accra. She spends long periods commuting to work every day due to traffic congestion, often arriving an hour or two late. Furthermore, Adwoa leaves earlier than the stipulated closing time in the hope of avoiding the chaotic traffic. This situation is not unique to her; many workers in Accra and its surroundings spend nearly three hours commuting to their workplace in the morning and the same amount of time returning home after a long day at work.

Adwoa faces daily challenges such as excessive fuel consumption, fatigue, honking noise, and aggressive behavior from commercial drivers. These factors negatively impact her productivity. Upon arriving at the office, she is fatigued and unable to contribute effectively, leading to lower output. Adwoa has called for a flexible working time system to reduce her long commutes and associated stress. Is this call justified? Can flexible working time improve productivity in today’s context? What steps are needed to implement such a system?

Linking Flexible Working Hours to Productivity

The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted workplaces in Ghana, disrupting traditional work practices and introducing innovative scheduling methods. Flexible working time has become a new norm, likely to persist in the coming years. This system allows employees to deviate from the traditional schedule, choosing their start and end times for the workday.

Flexible working schedules enable employees to customize their days according to their needs. Studies have shown that when employees can choose their working hours, there is a significant improvement in productivity and morale. This is because people are more productive at different times during the day. By aligning work with their most productive hours, employees can complete tasks more efficiently and produce higher quality work.

Productivity refers to how efficiently resources such as labor, capital, and time are used to generate output. It also reflects how consistently and effectively an individual completes tasks. Being productive requires less time, effort, and mental demand to achieve desired outcomes, resulting in better quality goods or services.

Effective working is not about location or time but about what is achieved and how efficiently it is done. Therefore, productivity does not mean making people work harder and longer within a confined space, but rather working smarter. Flexible working time offers a smart way to get work done effectively, including:

• Job Sharing: Splitting hours between two employees for one job.
• Home Working: Employees can work from home part or all of the week, requiring personal discipline to avoid distractions.
• Part-Time Hours: Involves working fewer hours than full-time, either daily or weekly.
• Compressed Hours: Employees work their full hours in fewer days, allowing for rest breaks.
• Flexitime Hours: Core hours in the office, with flexibility in starting and finishing times.
• Staggered Hours: Employees have different start and finish times to ensure coverage.
• Annualised Hours: Employees complete a set number of hours over the year, with some flexibility in timing.

These arrangements depend on the nature of the business and the needs of the employees.

Unlocking the Gains of Flexible Working in Ghana’s Workforce

Flexible working time helps balance work and personal life. Employees can manage home responsibilities while maintaining their professional commitments. This flexibility encourages breaks to prioritize personal life, leading to renewed focus and productivity upon returning to work.

Companies like Unilever have successfully implemented flexible working systems, allowing employees to work at any time suitable for them. They support adaptable work programs, whether from home, a flexible office space, or another country, ensuring high work standards through technology.

Studies show a direct correlation between happiness and productivity. Research from the University of Warwick found that happy employees are 12% more productive. Simple interventions like free chocolate or watching a comedy clip increased productivity by 20%. Flexible working allows breaks for relaxation, which enhances happiness and productivity.

Flexible working reduces work pressure and improves employee health and well-being. Remote workers avoid stressful traffic situations and can take frequent breaks for rest and exercise, leading to a healthier mind and body, which boosts productivity.

Discussions with public institution staff revealed benefits such as reduced stress, refreshed minds, and improved productivity after a week off. Flexible working attracts skilled talent, as modern workers seek a better work-life balance. Companies that do not offer flexibility risk losing valuable employees.

Digital tools streamline communication and workflow, promoting innovation. During the pandemic, many organizations in Ghana adopted flexible working hours. Virtual interactions were common, with tools like Zoom, Google Meet, and email being widely used. However, collaborative tools like Google Docs or Dropbox were less prevalent.

Key Steps for Introducing Flexible Working Time/Practice

To implement flexible working, companies should: - Create a clear policy and communicate it to employees. - Guide and train employees on the system. - Institute a monitoring and tracking system to measure performance.

Technology provides tools to monitor remote employees, such as task management apps and cloud storage platforms. This ensures accountability and addresses concerns about productivity.

Conclusions

Flexible working time is no longer a luxury but a strategic necessity. Evidence shows that when employees manage their schedules responsibly, they experience improved well-being, happiness, and job satisfaction, translating into higher productivity.

Ghanaian workers spend significant time commuting, affecting productivity. Adwoa’s request for flexible working is valid if it incurs no costs and maintains work quality. Flexible working can reduce commuting stress, enhance morale, and promote a healthy work-life balance. A happy worker is committed and productive, as confirmed by studies.

Management should consider accommodating flexible working requests, as it introduces effective tools for performance tracking. This strategy can reduce stress, improve employee well-being, decrease overtime costs, and ultimately ensure productivity.

Based on studies and literature, flexibility improves job quality and work-life balance when implemented properly. Companies yet to adopt flexible policies can start gradually, shifting to hybrid or fully remote models. Success depends on organizational readiness, supportive technology, and a cultural shift toward valuing results over rigid hours.

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