What seems to matter is not where you work from or when you work but what you eventually contribute to your job. Organisations are coming forward more readily to provide employees with more flexible working arrangements.
A recent article in the Times of India says that men are opting for flexible working hours in increasing number. HR managers in firms that offer flexi-timings, say they have seen a rise in the number of men opting for it. “At IBM an equal number of men and women ask for flexi-timings,” says Kalpana Veeraraghavan, Asia Pacific leader for IBM Global Work Life Fund. At SunGard Offshore Services in Bangalore, nearly 90% employees have opted for it. Of these 70% are men.
Interestingly, unlike women, when men opt for flexi-timings they prefer to come in late and stay back late. They like to be at home in the day and come towards the evening. “And as businesses go global, many prefer to take calls from home as well,” says Jayantika Dave, director HR, Agilent Technologies.
They feel if they take the calls from home, at least they are physically present at home. And that makes a difference to the family. HR managers say it helps them save valuable office space and cut on HR costs.
As Akila Krishnakumar, CEO, SunGard Offshore Services sums up, “With increased accountability and a positive view to the organisation’s flexible policies, flexi-timings have only proven to increase productivity through engaged and happy employees.”
People at Work & Play 