NORMA eResearch @NCI Library

Flexible Working Arrangements: The Challenges and Benefits for Organisations.

Cairns, Sandra (2004) Flexible Working Arrangements: The Challenges and Benefits for Organisations. Undergraduate thesis, Dublin, National College of Ireland.

[thumbnail of Bachelor of Arts]
Preview
PDF (Bachelor of Arts)
Download (921kB) | Preview

Abstract

Flexible working describes various unconventional working arrangements that are now becoming increasingly available to workers in Ireland. Many organizations have introduced some form of flexible working arrangements. The recent pressure on the labour market has forced organizations to consider new ways of attracting potential candidates and introduce benefits which will ensure they are the employer of choice. A more enlightened approach to equality issues has also been a driver for the introduction of flexible working arrangements. Employers are now more conscious of the requirement to ensure equal access to employment and taking steps to remove barriers that may prevent sections of society from applying for jobs. The focus on work/life balance and family friendly policies in recent years has also required organizations to look at how they can accommodate staff with family and other commitments.

The purpose of this dissertation is to look at flexible working from the perspective of the organisation and to consider the experience of several organisations which provide flexible working options for their staff.

The literature review begins by first considering working conditions from an historical perspective. From the Industrial Revolution in the late 18th century it will show how the working conditions for employees has changed. The literature review will also look at how the attitudes to workers has changed and developed over the last 200 years and how the work of various theorists and researchers has informed our attitudes to workers and how we can meet their needs while at the same time ensuring that they are productive contributors to organisational performance.

A review of current research will show the current trends in flexible working, look at the reasons why employers are introducing flexible working and the benefits to employers that have introduced these initiatives. The research will then look at the benefits for employees who can avail of flexible working. It will also look at some of the barriers to implementing flexible working practices and some of the issues and problems that can arise with the introduction of these practices.

The research will look at the experience of several organisations who have provided flexible working and identify the benefits that resulted from adopting flexible working policies and the challenges that they have encountered.

Item Type: Thesis (Undergraduate)
Subjects: H Social Sciences > HD Industries. Land use. Labor > Issues of Labour and Work > Hours of Labour
H Social Sciences > HD Industries. Land use. Labor > Issues of Labour and Work > Quality of Work Life / Job Satisfaction
H Social Sciences > HD Industries. Land use. Labor > Issues of Labour and Work > Parental Leave
H Social Sciences > HD Industries. Land use. Labor > HD28 Management. Industrial Management > Human Resource Management
Divisions: School of Business > BA (Honours) in Human Resource Management
Depositing User: SINEAD CORCORAN
Date Deposited: 26 Aug 2010 08:18
Last Modified: 20 Aug 2014 10:23
URI: https://norma.ncirl.ie/id/eprint/415

Actions (login required)

View Item View Item