Image of a globe flanked by the text 'Resources for Recruitment and Retention, Support in the Workplace' and wrapped in a banner that says 'Plan It.'

Support: Dealing with Stress in the Workplace

Recruitment and Retention Toolkit   Dealing with Stress in the Workplace 2.10.0   The Impact of Stress on Retention: The Stress Factor 2.10.2.0   Want to Reduce Stress and Burnout in Behavioral Health Workers? How to Get There Checklist [2.10.2.f   Flexible Working Conditions [2.10.2f 12]

Flexible Working Conditions [2.10.2f 12]

The following is an excerpt from Stress and Burnout: A Prevention Handbook for the Alcohol and Other Drugs Workforce, by Natalie Skinner and Anne Roach from National Centre for Education and Training on Addiction (NCETA), Flinders University: Adelaide, Australia. The full Stress and Burnout handbook can be found Here or through a search request Here.
 
Flexible working conditions are one solution to achieving a healthy work/ personal life balance.[1] Advantages to flexible working hours include lower stress, reduced absenteeism, higher job satisfaction related to the scheduling of work, and higher morale and autonomy. Strategies to develop more flexible working conditions include:
  • Flex-time arrangementsallow employees greater autonomy to schedule their work hours.
  • A compressed work weekinvolves working the hours of a 5-day work week in 4 days (this strategy should be implemented with care, since long work hours may contribute to feelings of work overload and stress).
  • Job-sharing arrangementsinvolves two employees working part time to fulfill a full-time position (not all positions in the AOD field will lend themselves to job-sharing arrangements).
  • Telecommuting allows employees to work at home while keeping in touch with the organization via technology (e.g., Internet, phone).
Flexible Work Arrangement Self Assessment Questionnaire provides help in determining if an employee is ready for flexible work scheduling, found Here.
 

[1] Sparks, K., Faragher, B., & Cooper, C. L. (2001). Well-being and occupational health in the 21st century workplace. Journal of Occupational and Organizational Psychology, 74, 489-509.

Submit your Feedback



Upload or attach a document:
Upload:

Go to Chapter:


Advocates for Human Potential Logo
Our Mission: AHP improves health and human services systems of care and business operations to help organizations and individuals reach their full potential.
 
Advocates for Human Potential; Corporate Office; 490-B Boston Post Road; Sudbury, MA 01776; 978.443.0055