With the Flexpool working time model, employees can largely determine their own working hours. It is therefore a flexible working time system that strongly incorporates employees’ wishes into the work schedule. It is already widely used in the care sector, but other industries should also take a look at the Flexpool model.
Self-determined working hours with Flexpool
The shortage of skilled workers has many causes. One of them is the inflexible working hours that prevail in many companies. Employees are not just looking for a job, but for a job that allows them to plan their free time as specifically as possible. This is why flexible working time models such as flexitime are on the rise. The flexpool model, among others, is currently gaining ground in the care sector. Shift work in the sector puts many employees off and also makes for a very inflexible working week. Most nursing positions are severely understaffed. Flexpool makes the jobs more attractive and also interesting for employees who would otherwise not be able to do the job due to a lack of time. Flexpool is particularly interesting for families with more than one earner because there is plenty of scope for organizing private tasks. Flexpool enables employees to work largely independently. Employees indicate when they are available. The duty roster is then created based on this information. For example, if a mother indicates that she can work between 9 am and 3 pm during the week and is available on two Saturdays a month, this is taken into account for the work schedule. Another employee without children may say that they prefer to work from 1 pm and then until 8 pm. This can be easily supplemented and a work schedule can be created with all the information that satisfies everyone as far as possible.
Flexpool requires flexibility from employees
Flexpool also requires flexibility from employees. By creating a roster based on numerous details, employees are constantly working with other employees and in other teams. As an employer, it is easy to fill gaps in the roster. However, employees must be prepared to work with many different colleagues, as they are deployed where there is the greatest need at the time. Of course, certain compromises also have to be made. If ten employees indicate that they would like to work between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., it is hardly possible for them all to be there at the same time. This leads to understaffing at other times. Working hours are therefore not completely self-determined in the flexpool, but the employer should take as much care as possible to consider the wishes of their employees when drawing up the roster. Discussions can be sought in order to find compromises that all employees agree with. For example, if three employees have indicated that they would like to work between 12 noon and 6 p.m., but there is only room for two employees, a solution can certainly be found. For example, by allowing each employee to work two days a week during their preferred working hours. Everyone also takes over a Saturday so that everyone works on the same days.
It can be a little more difficult to use the flex pool for employees who are tied to certain times. But the mother who has to take her child to school every morning may be able to take the Saturday shift. Creating the duty roster in the flexpool is more work than setting the normal shift work. However, this reduces the number of absences due to illness and increases employee satisfaction. The company becomes more attractive to applicants and enhances its reputation.
So everyone benefits. Employers and employees.
Conclusion
Flexpool is a working time model that allows employees to work their preferred working hours wherever possible. This increases employee satisfaction and enables many employees to enter professions that they were previously unable to pursue due to fixed working hours.
However, in addition to the employer, employees also have to show flexibility and make compromises. But if everyone pulls together, everyone should be happy with the flexpool.
