Reorganising working patterns

Abstract

Overtime cannot be reduced, shorter hours are not possible, long holidays are disruptive, part-time work is not feasible, shifts cannot be changed — and so on. Many companies are locked into a situation where the timing of work does not fit with the operational needs. To tinker with overtime, holidays, shorter hours and part-time is not the best way to unlock the greater efficiency that could be at hand. Rather than tackle the changes piecemeal a wholesale restructuring of the working timetable could open up a whole host of benefits to employers, employees, productivity and employment.