Term Paper on "Flexible Working Hours"

Term Paper 18 pages (4836 words) Sources: 1+

[EXCERPT] . . . .

Flexible Working Hours

Scope

Rationale 5-1.4 Background

Literature Review 7 time to Sex Factors in/of FWHs

Flexible Work Options Questionnaire

Attitudes Regarding FWHs

FWHs in Politics

Value of a Worker

To Retain Qualified People

Steps to a Flexible Working Life

The "Right" Kind of Atmosphere

Data Gathering Method

Caring Is Key

FLEXIBLE WORKING HOURS

This research proposal aims to examine the hypothesis: When employers encourage and empower employees to utilize Flexible Work Hours, while simultaneously affording opportunities for employees to progress within the company, employees, as well as, employers most likely gain a predisposition to profit - literally and figuratively. Consideration will also be attributed to the following:

The need for FWHs in today's workplace.

How employers and employees' perceptions regarding FWHs compare with each other.

Whether men's and women's requests for FWHs are given the same consideration by employers.

Example of a questionnaire used in a study related to FWHs.

FWHs' place in the political realm.

Comparison of hours employees work today with hours they worked in the past.

Primary concern most employees express regarding their work hours.

Ultimately, this researcher posits, this study's hypothesis will be confirmed.

FLEXIBLE WORKING HOURS

I. Work - Work - Work

The Need for Flexible Working Hours

Work - work - work,

In the dull December light,

And work - work - work,

When the weather is warm and bright

While underneath the eaves

The brooding swallows cling

As if to show me their sunny backs

And twit me with the spring.

Hood)

Notice to Employers: "You can't say you were not warned!"

In today's global climate of "Work - Work - Work," according to Clark, employers have been notified that: "some form of legislation addressing work-life balance is inevitable. While the Employment Relations (Flexible Working Hours) Amendment Bill has been put aside for a year, the Select Committee considering it found that there is a need for flexible working hours." Employees will not automatically gain the right to flexible working hours (Flexible Work Hours), however, employers will be required to genuinely consider an employee's request, as he/she will obtain a right to request the FWHs. Although the Select Committee confirms the need for flexible working hours, approval for this Bill has been postponed until more research is completed. Numerous employers, however, currently implement work-life balance program in their place of work. "A place of work is defined by the HSE Act as a place where any person is working for gain or reward." When an employee works from home, Clark notes, and the employer must take steps to insure safety for his/her employees while working, no matter the location as an employer is sequentially obligated, just as if the employee worked at a desk in the office. Anytime an employer and employee agree to utilize flexible working practices, the agreement needs to be clear, as well as, clearly confirmed in writing. Components of the agreement need to include:

Process for review of the arrangement

Practices to be employed if flexible working practices do not work as anticipated

Performance issues

Operational requirements.

Method to monitor implementation of practices (Ibid)

Aims and Objectives

Aim

This research proposal aims to explore the subject of Flexible Work Hours (FWHs), gathering relevant data investigate in order to determine the verdict of the hypothesis:

When employers encourage and empower employees to utilize Flexible Work Hours, while simultaneously affording opportunities for employees to progress within the company, employees, as well as, employers profit - literally and figuratively.

Proposed Questions

Answers to the following proposed questions will be also be considered in this research proposal.

Are FWHs needed in today's workplace?

How do employers and employees' perceptions regarding FWHs compare with each other?

Are men's and women's requests for FWHs given the same consideration by employers?

What is an example of a questionnaire used in a study related to FWHs?

Are FWHs a political issue?

How do hours employees work today compare with hours they worked in the past?

What is the primary concern most employees express regarding their work hours?

Objective

Identify current components contributing to employers and employees concepts of Flexible Work Hours.

This research proposal projects that employers and employees concepts regarding FWHs will contradict each other at times, while at other times, compliment each other. This researcher plans to examine numerous reports relating ideas employed by both work constituents.

Objective

Collect data determined to be relevant to Flexible Work Hours.

This research proposal posits to gather information from relevant sources and consequentially assess capsulated data to arrive at determinations regarding Flexible Work Hours.

Objective

Dissect, evaluate and reassemble data retrieved related to Flexible Work Hours.

After gathering data, this researcher proposes to examine and compare contributors' perceptions and determinations to more fully understand Flexible Work Hours.

Objective

Determine Findings and Conclusions from assessment of Flexible Work Hours. data.

Following the formulation of perceptions and. determinations for this study, this researcher aims to formulate perceptions and. determinations related to the hypothesis: When employers encourage and empower employees to utilize Flexible Work Hours, while simultaneously affording opportunities for employees to progress within the company, employees, as well as, employers profit - literally and figuratively.

Objective

Present recommendations and/or future Concepts related to Flexible Work Hours

This researcher proposes to ultimately record findings and conclusions from the exploration of Flexible Work Hours with the expectation that efforts from this study will not only increase information regarding Flexible Work Hours, but will also encourage other studies in this area.

Scope

Although the scope for this proposed research project plans to primarily focus on Flexible Work Hours, related arenas such as gender considerations regarding FWHs; employers/employees perceptions of FWHs: studies of FWHs.

Rationale

This proposed study will present contemporary information and ideas to help illuminate current awareness of FWHs. Although many employees have a basic understanding of FWHs, this researcher contends that many do not fully understand the ramifications embodied in FWSs and that this study will prove to be productive in increasing awareness of current issues this practice employs.

Background

Currently, legislation regarding FWHs is "on hold," while more governmental research is being completed and enhances. European businesses, on the other hand, presently utilize FWHs. During the course of gathering information, this research study also plans to compare U.S. plans for FWHs with those already being implemented in Europe.

The Literature Review for this research proposal will incorporate information from a range of books; journals; magazines; newspapers; Web sites.

Methodology, at this point, is intended to be purely literature based, however, as the research process progresses, consideration may be given to creating questionnaires and/or implementing interviews for more personal data

Results will be related during actual research project, determined from the implementation of this proposed study. At this time, the validity of the hypothesis will be presented.

Conclusions and Recommendations will follow the discussion of the findings and results from this research effort.

II: Literature Review time to...

A time to be born and a time to die... "

The New Dictionary...) time to complete a literature review proposal on the subject of Flexible Work Hours is not specifically stated in Ecclesiastes, however, this research proposes that the meaning in the list of "A time to..." is includes this particular "work." Although this statement differs from the language the introductory introduction p hrase from Ecclesiastes, an Old Testament Book, the thought is clearly consistent with the passage which begins, "To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven" - that is, there is a right moment for all actions." (Ibid)

Sex Factors in/of FWHs

Just as various comparisons are made in Ecclesiastes, differing determinations can be found regarding whether or not an employee's sex factors into FWHs. From the initial data search, however, it appears to this researcher, that men are not as readily approved for flexible work hours.

One UK research report specifically states, "Men are more likely than women to be turned down if they dare ask their boss if they can adopt more flexible work practices,," ("Flexible Working Is Nothing" 8) Another report in London contends, however: "More women than men are being denied the chance to work from home because of sexist bosses." ("Working mothers denied...")

Research further shows that approximately 10% of fathers of children under the age of six have taken advantage of the right to request flexible working, compared with 19% of mothers. "Only one in 10 working mothers had their request turned down, compared with 14% of men, according to the study of 3,200 people." ("Flexible Working Is Nothing" 8) the contradictory report claims, "More women than men are being denied the chance to work from home because of sexist bosses."("Working mothers denied...) This report claims that figures reveal that 10 per cent more women than men protest that employers refuse to allow them work flexibly. In the study by Elizabeth a. Corrigall and Alison M. Konrad, these researchers determine findings congruent with stereotypes and gender roles related to women's and men's responsibilities as "Men… READ MORE

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