http://www.geniushr.com/san-francisco-family-friendliest-place-earth/
Hi guys,
I just read that interesting article about a new law in San Francisco. It gives employees the right to request changes in their work schedule, location, assignment and working hours to care for a child, family member or spouse.
Sounds like pretty good news to San Francsico residents. But what about employers? They might not be so happy about this. And is it even realistic? Or do you think it could even have advantages for employers? Let me know what you think!
To my mind this is a matter of one's attitude: if someone is always doing a good job, fulfilling tasks with a satisfying outcome etc than I would say why not allowing this employee more freedom in regards of his wants and needs.
AntwortenLöschenIt is decisive whether the relation between employer and employee is good or bad and if the employee can actually 'afford' to request changes in his or her work schedule.
I do not think that this system causes any disadvantages for the employer as he can refuse the request (also by providing reasons for the employers refusal) anytime. But in case of a refusal, the relation between employer and employee might be harmed and the job of the employee is done with less motivation and eagerness...
I would love to have this in Austria. You only realize how hard it is to combine your child with work when you have one. In my opinion this regulation is great as long as the employee covers his assigned work and his work doesn't suffer. For employers it simply means a lot of more organization of schedules etc.
AntwortenLöschenStill this would be a great opportunity for moms to start working again and still be able to look after children and for dads to spend more time with his family!
In my opinion, it is a good system, as long as the employees don't misuse it and use it too often. However, if they manage to reach all the goals, meet all the deadlines and do their job, this regulation can lead to heppier and with that maybe more productive employees. On the other side it will cause additional administrative costs for the employers and that might be a know-out criteria for some enterprises..
AntwortenLöschenI totally agree with Julia that we should have a law like this in Austria. Here it is especially hard for mothers to find a work which is combinable with business and family. Why not letting employees enjoy their freedom if they do their job right? (Here again I come with a Sweden example ;) ) In Sweden families enjoy a lot of freedom in their daily work schedule. It is not seldomly happening that someone stays at home because of the kids, or comes earlier, later to work, because of some family issues - those employees will do their work - maybe in an even more productive way...
AntwortenLöschenDoesn't it also depend on which job you are working in? If you are doing shift work and you have to fulfill your 40 hours a week, then the only thing you can basically do is, changing your shifts (maybe from day to night a couple days a week?). If you are working in an office, it also depends on how dependable you are on actually sitting in your office. If you can work on files or whatever from home and just have to be online/availabe for a certain period of time, that is also doable. I agree with Marlene: if an employee is doing his or her job really well and the employer values this employee then there is always a way to arrange for such special situations. Sometimes the only way might be to reduce working ours to a part-time position, but that is always better than losing your job altogether.
AntwortenLöschenWow, never heard or read about something so wonderful! I really think it is great to promote spending time with your family! However, it is hard to imagine that such an approach might work in Austria, too, as we Austrians simply love structures and systems way too much! I think in our country the concept of maternity leave is more widely accepted, having the mother stay at home with the kids, which I do not think is a bad way. However, it may constitute a barrier for mothers who do not want to stay away from their jobs for that long.
AntwortenLöschenHaving a regulation like they do in San Francisco even allows for more flexibility, for the mother AND the father. In general, I do agree with you, Sonja, that for certain employers this new possibility might constitute a problem, however, as the others have already pointed out, it may also give them much more motivated and ambitious staff in return.
As it has just started I also wonder if and how it will work! I think, especially in the beginning some employees will have to get over the barrier to step up to their bosses and approach them with their wish of having a changed schedule etc. For others this might not constitute any problem at all, while for third ones this might not even be an issue as flexibility of work might not allow for it in such a way (see Lisa Mondl’s comment ;))