An insightful article in the Straits Times caught my eye recently. It was written by Professor Michael Frese of NUS Business School, and featured his research findings and its implications for Singapore's ageing workforce. In case you missed that story, here is an excerpt: Our research has implications for job design for an ageing workforce. Increasing the complexity of jobs and giving workers more opportunities to make decisions, schedule tasks and choose their working methods may help older employees think of the workplace as one filled with opportunity. Royal Plaza on Scotts and the National Healthcare Group have done this by making their older workers mentors. Such leadership positions generally allow older workers more control over how their tasks are performed. Companies should go beyond merely providing training… to prepare their workers for old age. They should redesign job scopes to give experienced workers more flexibility to make decisions…
Are you ready for the new reality? Flexibility will be important in managing a rapidly ageing workforce. In barely two year's time, in 2012, it will become mandatory for companies to offer to re-hire workers beyond 62. By then, the Government hopes to raise the employment rate for older workers from the current 57 per cent to 65 per cent. But it is simply not realistic to expect many of these senior workers to be clocking in 9-to-5, everyday. What they would be looking for is an active lifestyle that encompasses meaningful work as well as time for recreation and life's other pursuits. Employers will need to offer flexibility in terms of flexible working hours and schedules, as well as the finer aspects of job design, which Professor Frese alludes to.
What does this mean for you? This means people managers will need to be prepared to manage a flexible workforce. Many of these staff will be on telecommuting, job-sharing, part-time or a compressed work week arrangement Of course, senior workers won't be the only ones to ask for flexible work arrangements either. Gen Xers who are seeking to balance work and family, as well as Gen Ys who are seeking to work and play (and not necessarily in that order!), will be looking for more flexibility in the workplace as well.
But how do you manage this creature called Flexibility? Given the demographic realities of our workforce, here is a hard truth you might as well swallow right now: There is no reversing this trend towards Flexibility. Yet for many people managers, Flexibility is a scary creature. They think it empowers the employee too much, and raises expectations of a flexi-work lifestyle that does not square with our work ethic. ("Besides, how do we know if those telecommuters are doing 'real' work anyway?") However, the good news is, research has shown that employees on flexible work arrangements are actually more engaged, more productive, and, more often than not, more committed to their employers.
Building a Culture of Flexibility If our organisations are to be ready for the coming demographic reality, then managers must be equipped with a working understanding of Flexibility --- what it means, and how to make it work. This entails:
Of course, you can choose to be inflexible… Or you can equip your managers to manage flexibility, and retain your brightest and your best. Retain or retrain – what's your choice?
Choose wisely!
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Invite Cheryl Liew-Chng to speak at your organization! What other managers say about this course
Excellent! Good interaction, good presentation and relevant materials. Rich with experience, the trainer delivered the course well. Inspiring and motivating!
- Assistant Director, Republic Polytechnic
Conveyed the issues that occur when implementing flexible work arrangements, and the solutions. Very helpful.
- HR Manager, Monetary Authority of Singapore
Lots of experiences and learning points!
- Assistant Manager, National Library Board
Very useful for those planning to go on flexible work arrangements as it teaches a strategic approach. Very useful for managers / management to get a better understanding of the issues.
- Manager of a statutory board
Upcoming Training Courses
Building a Culture of Flexibility: Implementing & Managing Flexible Work Arrangements
Date: 26 May (Fri)
Time: 1.30am-5.30pm
Fee: $500
Now: $460
Early bird fee: $420 (if you register by 26 April)
Group discount: $380 for a group of five or more (early bird deadline applies)
What are the keys to successful flexible work arrangements? What are the challenges involved --- and what are the solutions to overcome these challenges? How does one succeed in transiting to or managing staff who are on flexible work arrangements?
This course unveils the practical elements needed to make such arrangements succeed in your organisation.
Work-Life Strategies that Make Business Sense
Date: 26 May (Fri)
Time: 9.30am-5.30pm
Fee: $1200
Now: $999
Early bird fee: $899 (if you register by 26 April)
Group discount: $799 for a group of three or more (early bird deadline applies)
How strong is the business case for work-life flexibility? If your work-life initiative is doomed from the start, would you want to know? What are the critical make-or-break factors, and how do you steer your work-life initiative towards success? Get up to speed with the latest research findings on work-life, arm yourself with proven strategies, and avoid the hidden pitfalls related to implementing and managing work-life flexibility.
Gen Y and Multi-Gen Strategies that Make Business Sense
Date: 31 March (Wed)
Time: 9.30am-5.30pm
Fee: $1200
Now: $999
Early bird fee: $899 (if you register by 12 March)
Group discount: $799 for a group of three or more (early bird deadline applies)
Managing and motivating Gen Ys and the other generations in your team is not about pandering to their whims and fancies, or following the latest fad. There is actually a strong business case for managing multi-generational teams. However, it calls for a different mindset and skills set, which today’s managers have not been trained for. Get the latest research findings on Gen Y and the generations, arm yourself with proven strategies, and build a more engaged, in-sync and resilient team or workforce!
Y U So Like Dat? A Crash Course on Generational Diversity --- For all who work with Gen Y!
Date: 31 March (Wed)
Time: 9.30am-12.30pm
Fee: $500
Now: $420
Early bird fee: $380 (if you register by 12 March)
Group discount: $320 for a group of five or more (early bird deadline applies)
Perplexed by the antics and ethics of your Gen Y staff or colleagues? Fret no more. Here's just what you need – a crash course on understanding this new breed of twenty-somethings in your workplace! This course takes a unique sociological approach to understanding the different generations (especially Gen Ys) --- why they are the way they are, and what you can do to relate and work effectively with them, resulting in better teamwork, communication and morale in your workplace!
Y U So Like Dat? Decoding Gen Y – For Campus Administrators & Lecturers
Date: 30 March (Tue)
Time: 9.30am-12.30pm
Fee: $500
Now: $420
Early bird fee: $380 (if you register by 5 March)
Group discount: $320 for a group of 10 or more (early bird deadline applies)
Perplexed by the antics and ethics of your Gen Y students? Here’s just what you need – a crash course on understanding and teaching Gen Y! This seminar will unveil the latest research findings on Gen Y, arm you with proven strategies for motivating Gen Y learners, and help you avoid the common pitfalls related to teaching, training and influencing them.
Book Your Seat Now
Simply email Solutions@LifeWorkz.org with your name, designation, company, mailing address, email and mobile.
Please make cheque payable to LifeWorkz Pte Ltd and mail to: 16 Collyer Quay #10-00 Hitachi Tower Singapore 049318.
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16 Collyer Quay #10-00
Hitachi Tower
Singapore 049318
Organizer reserves the right to change the date, time and venue of the workshop at its discretion.In the event of programme cancellation, a full refund of the fee payment will be made with no further liability.
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