Flexible Working Hours for Peak Productivity and Well-Being

In our constantly changing business world, flexible working time models are becoming increasingly important. They offer both employees and employers the opportunity to adapt working hours to individual needs and requirements of staff. What exactly does the term ‘flexible work models’ mean? What models are common? What advantages and disadvantages are associated with these models? Read more about the experiences of our colleagues Verena, Pamela and Claudio.

Flexible Work Models: From Flexitime to Job Sharing

Flexible working hours encompass all working time models that deviate from the traditional 9-to-5 arrangement. In addition to traditional remote work from home, flexitime models offer innovative solutions to meet the needs of companies and employees.

The Annual working hours, for instance, allow for a strategic distribution of working hours throughout the year. This model balances periods of high and low workload. A working time account, on the other hand, offers more detailed control over one’s own time, allowing employees to accrue overtime that can later be taken as time off. With compressed workweeks, the regular weekly working hours are concentrated into fewer days, enabling longer weekends and more recovery time. In job sharing, two or more employees share a full-time position, along with its tasks and responsibilities. These different types of flexible working models clearly demonstrate that flexibility goes far beyond simple mobile working.

Work-Life Balance and Well-Being: Employees Benefit from Flexibility

• Higher motivation and productivity: Employees with flexible working times are typically more motivated and more productive.
• Better work-life balance: It becomes easier to balance professional and private commitments.
• Reduced stress levels & more self-determination: Ability to organize the own working hours reduces stress and improves employee satisfaction.

Productivity & Loyalty: Employers Benefit from Flexibility

• Increased productivity: Employees have the opportunity to work when they are most productive.
• Reduced absence: Absenteeism can be reduced if employees are able to cover for private commitments and doctor’s appointments by arranging the working times flexibly.
• Employee satisfaction & competitiveness for job applicants: Happy employees are less likely to leave the company. Flexible working times are a bonus feature for potential job candidates.

Everybody Belongs to the Team: Flexibility that Suits Different Lifestyles

Introducing flexible working hours is an effective tool for promoting inclusion and diversity within companies. By allowing employees to freely choose their working hours or place of work, employers can better respond to different needs. These include the requirements of people with disabilities, parents with young children, caregivers or people with special personal or cultural circumstances. Professionals who would otherwise be disadvantaged by inflexible working time arrangements are able to participate more fully in working life.

Hello & Welcome Flexibility: innovaphone Redefines Working Time Models

At innovaphone, we understand that a modern corporate culture requires flexibility, especially when promoting innovation and attracting professional talent.

Verena, Marketing Manager in Part-Time:

"I have moved a few times in recent years. I already worked full-time on site at our innovaphone headquarters, as well as part-time from other parts of Germany. 
At my marketing position, I can work fully remotely from home and am always up to date, thanks to our myApps platform and video conferencing. The flexibility is a big plus: It helps to stay organized and on top of things, for example if a child is sick or if a doctor’s appointment needs to be scheduled.“

Pamela, Head of Inside Sales:

"Commuting to work is something I am very familiar with. The district I live in is different from the innovaphone headquarters where I work at. Our myApps platform and our tools are beneficial in many ways. They help me to organize my daily work efficiently! I can work remotely from home and carry out my duties as usual, thanks to our myApps video and conferencing solution. I always remain connected to my colleagues in my department even when working remotely.

On the days I commute to the office, I enjoy using our social intranet platform Connect on my way to work. The train journey turns into the "train office". I can effectively use my commute. Even before I arrive at the office, I have already had transparent discussions with my colleagues. The Working App is perfect to record my working times, and to keep an eye on all my working hours in total. It all adds up to a comprehensive package that transforms the way we work!“

Claudio, Technical Services:

"Our innovaphone myApps platform lets you work conveniently from any location. We log into myApps and have all business tools at hand, and communicate with our colleagues. I worked in Germany for six years, and have been working remotely from my home in my home country Portugal. innovaphone makes it happen: I can always work productively and remain well-connected with my colleagues, even when we are 2,800 km apart!"

10 Tips to Successfully Implement Flexible Working Times 

The Future of Work is Flexible: a Win-Win Model for Everyone

For innovaphone, flexible working times are more than just a "nice to have". It is an integral component of our corporate philosophy. Flexible working times offer numerous advantages for both employees and employers. However, it is important to consider the potential challenges and take appropriate measures to overcome such challenges. Open communication and a culture of mutual trust are crucial to the success of flexible working time models.

Flexible working hours will play an even greater role in the future. Technological progress and changes in the world of work are making it possible to design more flexible working time models.

The future of work is flexible - and innovaphone is committed to pursuing this path.