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•
Examples •
Benefits and Challenges •
Success Factors •
Compensation and Benefits
Implications
• Internal
Best Practices • Compressed
Workweek Agreement • Troubleshooting
• FAQs |
Compressed
Workweek Internal Best Practices
Kathie McDonald, Senior
Nurse Epidemiologist, Infection Control
After 18 months in her role, Kathie McDonald’s director, Vicki
Marsee, felt that the department was meeting clearly defined
goals and could accommodate flexible work arrangements as a
pilot. Therefore, Kathie submitted her proposal for a compressed
work week which in her case consists of four 10-hour days also
known as a 4/10 work
week.
Kathie’s director reviewed
the proposal and performed the “due diligence” necessary to
arrive at a successful flexible work arrangement.
Kathie’s entire team was actively involved in the
decision-making process to ensure that the proper coverage would
be available at all times.
Recognizing that her professional obligations take precedence,
she understands the importance of flexibility on her part as
well. “My
co-workers and I have been collaborative in being flexible to
meet all of our scheduling and department needs,” says Kathie.
In times of need, “I will usually take another day
[off] during the week that fits the department’s schedule. If
that is not possible, than I either work a 5/8 hour week, or
would just come in on my off day.”
Kathie states, “[the flexible work arrangement] has increased
my energy, moral and overall job satisfaction.”
It has also made available a parking space at least one
day per week and has reduced gas consumption. Kathie is also
able to better serve her customers by performing evening
consults during hours that an 8-5 schedule would not have
accommodated.
Lisa Noles, Systems
Analyst, Business Systems
The Business Systems
department took a holistic approach to establishing flexible
work arrangements. “Each
member on my team had to compile a list of pros and cons,”
says Lisa Noles. The
list was then submitted with their request for a flexible work
arrangement. After
some consideration, their requests were accepted.
Now, nearly everyone on Lisa’s team participates in a
compressed workweek.
Lisa currently works a 4/10
schedule and is able to reserve her PTO by setting personal
appointments on her flex day off.
The productivity within her department has been unharmed
and team morale has been enhanced.
With flexibility in mind, Lisa and her team members are always
willing to alter their schedules or commit to longer hours in
order to meet the needs of their department. “If
we have advanced notice we alter our workweek to 8 hr days, 5
days a week. If we
don’t have advanced notice we will work the flex schedule,
plus the extra hours needed.”
Paul Gerardi, Lead
Buyer, Purchasing
Pursuant to a flexible
work arrangement option, “The department had to come up with a
plan, as a group, that would result in our customers (inside and
outside of Moffitt) receiving satisfaction,” says Paul Gerardi
of Purchasing. He
and many members of his team actively participated in the
flexible work arrangement process.
During his deliberation, Paul’s “primary goal was to
be able to offer the same level of customer satisfaction whether
a staff member was here or not.”
Cross training has served as both a backup and a benefit of the
department’s flexible work arrangements.
“Each buyer is scheduled to spend one hour a week with
the person they are backing up to understand their processes.”
Processes that are
considered “out of the norm” for that buyer are documented
and kept in a folder on the network’s shared drive.
Paul also states that, “Staff gets a chance to learn
different areas within the department which eliminates customer
wait time.”
Since September, most of the Buyers and half of the support
staff have participated in a 4/10
compressed work week. To
accommodate everyone’s schedule, staff meetings are currently
held on Tuesdays which is the day that the entire staff is in
the office. Paul is
in the process of possibly modifying the department’s schedule
to have two days available for greater flexibility.
Paul
admits that there have been a few “hiccups,” but overall the
department’s choice to incorporate flexible work arrangements
has been a success. “Employees
are able to schedule appointments on their day off rather than
having to take PTO, arrive late, or leave early from work. And,
“the employee is able to reduce drive time to work, which in
turn, saves them gas money.”
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