Flexible Working: Definition, Models, Benefits & Tips

Flexible working, which gained importance through digitalization, offers numerous advantages for both employees and employers. It includes flexible working hours (such as flextime or compressed workweeks) as well as the option to work from home. This leads to higher employee satisfaction, better work-life balance, and increased productivity. When introducing it, clear agreements should be made, and the model must be based on trust and clear performance criteria. Important aspects include regular feedback, adherence to rest periods, and fostering team cohesion through virtual meetings and team events. Flexible working also requires a high degree of self-organization and responsibility.

What is flexible working?

Flexible working describes work models where employees can flexibly arrange their workplace, working hours, or both. This includes, for example, flextime, home office, mobile working, trust-based working hours, part-time work, and hybrid work models. The goal is to combine operational requirements with more self-determination and a better work-life balance.

What flexible work models are there?

Flexible work models differ primarily in how freely employees can arrange their workplace and working hours. These include, among others, flextime, home office, mobile and hybrid working, trust-based working hours, job sharing, or the 4-day week. Which model is best suited depends on the tasks, operational requirements, and the needs of the employees.

Benefits of flexible working

Flexible work models can offer significant advantages for both employees and companies. Employees benefit from more self-determination, a better work-life balance, and shorter or eliminated commutes, which boost satisfaction and motivation.

Companies also benefit from flexible work models. They can increase their attractiveness as an employer, attract talent more easily, and retain employees in the long term. At the same time, office space can be used more efficiently, especially when flexible work is combined with desk sharing or hybrid work models.

Disadvantages and challenges

Flexible working offers many advantages but also brings organizational and interpersonal challenges. For flexible work models to function long-term, companies must create clear structures and appropriate processes.

1. ‍Communication: Information exchange must function reliably regardless of the workplace so that all employees stay on the same page.‍
2. Team cohesion: Fewer personal encounters can make informal exchange and team collaboration more difficult.‍
3. Self-organization: More flexibility requires a high degree of personal responsibility, time management, and self-discipline.‍
4. Blurring boundaries: Flexible work models can lead to the lines between work and leisure blurring, leaving too little time for recovery.‍
5. Office organization: Especially with hybrid teams, it must be transparent who is working in the office when and which workstations, meeting rooms, or other resources are needed.

Successfully introducing flexible working

Before introducing flexible work, several points should be considered:

• Clear agreements should be made. Expectations and framework conditions must be clearly formulated and communicated.
• Every employee is free to decide on the use of flexible working. Not everyone likes working from home. Whether and to what extent the company's offer is used is left to each individual employee.
• The flexible working model is primarily based on trust. What counts in the end are the work results.
• Criteria for employee performance must be defined and documented in advance so that performance can be measured objectively.
• Employees who work from home frequently also have the right to feedback. Regular, constructive criticism, as well as recognition and appreciation, are important here and must never be neglected.
• Rest periods, during which no calls or emails are answered, must be observed, even when working from home.
• New options for meetings must be provided so that they can also take place virtually.
• Joint team events are essential to strengthen team exchange and cohesion.

Rules for flexible working

• Switch off devices after work.
• Work models should be critically reviewed beforehand, as employees often feel uncomfortable without a predefined structure.
• Every employee should be made aware of responsibility and entrepreneurial thinking.
• Tasks, goals, and deadlines must be clearly communicated.
• The work rhythm should be defined according to personal needs.
• To promote social competence, networking must take place regularly.
• Diligence is essential for flexible working.
• Flexible working requires a high degree of self-organization. Employees should know their own strengths and weaknesses for this.

Legal framework for flexible working

Auch bei flexiblen Arbeitsmodellen gelten die gesetzlichen Vorgaben zur Arbeitszeit. Nach dem Arbeitszeitgesetz darf die werktägliche Arbeitszeit grundsätzlich acht Stunden nicht überschreiten. Eine Verlängerung auf bis zu zehn Stunden ist möglich, wenn innerhalb von sechs Kalendermonaten oder 24 Wochen im Durchschnitt acht Stunden werktäglich eingehalten werden. Zwischen zwei Arbeitstagen ist zudem grundsätzlich eine ununterbrochene Ruhezeit von mindestens elf Stunden vorgesehen.

Für mobiles Arbeiten oder Homeoffice besteht in Deutschland derzeit kein allgemeiner gesetzlicher Anspruch. In der Praxis beruhen entsprechende Modelle daher meist auf individuellen, betrieblichen oder tariflichen Vereinbarungen zwischen Arbeitgebern und Beschäftigten. Auch bei der Arbeit außerhalb des Büros bleiben die gesetzlichen Anforderungen an Arbeitszeit und Arbeitsschutz relevant.

Wie Flexopus flexibles Arbeiten unterstützt

Flexible Arbeitsmodelle funktionieren besonders gut, wenn Mitarbeitende wissen, wer wann im Büro arbeitet und welche Ressourcen verfügbar sind. Mit Flexopus können Arbeitsplätze, Besprechungsräume und Parkplätze vorab gebucht sowie Anwesenheiten und Büroauslastungen transparent dargestellt werden. Haben wir Ihr Interesse geweckt? Dann vereinbaren Sie gerne einen Termin mit unserem Vertriebsteam und lernen Sie Flexopus persönlich kennen.