Modern workplaces are following a strong trend of increasing flexible working practices and approaches, offering more flexibility in working times, working places, work organization, and work relations as the result of new information and communication technologies. This book brings together a group of internationally recognized experts in the field of flexible work to examine the psychological and social implications of these practices, describing the current state of research and empirically-based practices in this field. It focuses on organizational, job, and individual factors related to the quality of working life, and identifies potential risk groups where the benefits of flexible work are suppressed or not realized. Ideal for organizations implementing or considering implementing flexible work, for professionals and researchers in work and organizational psychology, and for HR professionals, this volume is an invaluable overview of rapidly changing work norms and their impact on working life.

Your customersâ¬" demands are not constant. Many of the most able and talented potential employees cannot or will not work regular hours. So why is your business still based around a 9:00-5:00 five day week? Flexible working enables your business to respond cost effectively to peaks and troughs in demand and helps you to attract and retain the best staff. This book shows you how to tailor a policy that is right for your organisation, make the business case, win over the doubters and implement and manage a system that will provide genuine competitive advantage for your organisation.

Discover how to adapt your management style and get the best out of your team - even if they aren’t in the same room! More people are working from home than ever before. This practical guide gives you all the skills you need to succeed as a flexible worker, and as a manager running projects and teams remotely. Whether you’re new to flexible working or simply looking to sharpen your skills, this is the go-to guide for you. It includes: • A practical, “how-to” approach that offers readers everything they need to run a project and manage a team remotely • Step-by-step instructions, tips, checklists, and “Ask yourself” features • Tables, illustrations, “in-focus” panels, and real-life case studies that demonstrate and explain problem-solving and how to build confidence Learn how to make remote-working work for you and your team Slim, portable, and accessible, Essential Managers Flexible Working takes a no-nonsense approach to remote-working. It shows you how to effectively manage others from a distance by defining expectations, understanding the unique challenges of working from home, and setting up new routines, structures, and processes. Packed with clear, expert advice and useful WFH tips for staying focused and motivated, this business book will help you communicate and work effectively from any location or time zone. Discover how to keep your projects on track and achieve the very best results. It’s the perfect gift for managers at all levels or anyone still adjusting to remote or flexible working. Other titles in the Essential Managers Series DK's Essential Managers series contains the know-how you need to be a more effective manager and hone your management style. Find out how to improve your leadership skills with Essential Managers: Leadership. Brush up on or enhance your project management skills with Essential Managers: Project Management.

SHORTLISTED: Business Book Awards 2021 - HR & Management Category DISTINGUISHED FAVOURITE: Independent Press Awards 2021 - Business General Category Flexible working is now a key concern for many employees. It spans genders, ages and family circumstances, with 37% of millennials declining a job offer if working flexibly isn't an option and 78% of employees over 50 wanting more flexible hours. Flexible Working is a practical guide for HR practitioners showing how to develop an effective flexible working strategy to meet the needs of employees and the needs of the business. This book explains how to develop effective flexibility policies and processes as well as how to communicate and train line managers on these practices. It also includes advice on how to overcome barriers to flexible working, dispels common myths and offers guidance on the different forms of flexible working available to organizations. Flexible Working shows that working practices outside the standard 9-5, five-days-a-week in the office can benefit a company. It drives employee engagement and performance, reduces costs and workplace stress and improves talent acquisition from a more diverse talent pool. It also explains how a proactive flexible working strategy can have sustainability benefits and reduce a company's carbon footprint. Including case studies from organizations such as Zurich Insurance, and supported by rigorous analysis of flexible working data, this is essential reading for all HR professionals.

There is growing interest in flexible working, not only as a means to manage labour more efficiently and for greater agility, but also as a response to increasing concerns over well-being, work-life balance, and participation in the labour force of those with significant non-work commitments (e.g. parents, carers, older workers). As a result, a comprehensive stream of literature on the benefits and challenges of flexible working has developed and led to a body of evidence on the implementation and outcomes of different forms of flexible working arrangements. This book assesses the current state of this literature as follows: Background: the authors review the different definitions that have been proposed, policy developments, availability and uptake. Outcomes from flexible working: the main chapters focus on the outcomes for employers (e.g. performance, employee retention, organisational commitment etc.), as well as for individual employees (e.g. well-being, job satisfaction etc.). Evaluation of extant knowledge: the authors comment on the existing literature and consider the methodological approaches adopted in the literature. Conclusion: suggestions for future research are proposed. Of interest to students, academics and policy-makers, this book provides an expert overview of the empirical evidence and offers critical commentary on the state of knowledge in the field of flexible working and new forms of work.

Flexible Work: Designing Our Healthier Future Lives examines flexible working through the lens of social science, in particular using psychological perspective to address not only what forms of flexible working there are and how they are evolving but also their prospect in the future of work. Bringing together views from thought-leaders and underpinned by research evidence, this book addresses two of the most fundamental business challenges for large and medium organisations – mental health and productivity – calling for the bridging of science and policy to design flexible working for our future healthier lives. Growing from these foundations, this book explains the latest landscape in flexible working, looking at employee psychological health and productivity, including showing up for work sick. Perspectives are provided from around the world on leadership, line management, ‘over attachment’ with technology, commuting, skill-based inequality and control over working time. Readers are offered insights into the relevance of flexible working for a diverse workforce – invisible disabilities, disabilities, older workers and blended families. Throughout, the book offers suggestions for shaping future policy, practice and research. Each chapter concludes with recommendations, making this essential reading for students, academics, human resource practitioners, policy-influencers, policymakers and professionals interested in flexible work.