Flexible Work Options

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Case Details:

Case Code : HROB018
Case Length : 11 Pages
Period : 2001 - 2002
Pub Date : 2002
Teaching Note : Available
Organization : Varied
Industry : Varied
Countries : India, USA

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This case study was compiled from published sources, and is intended to be used as a basis for class discussion. It is not intended to illustrate either effective or ineffective handling of a management situation. Nor is it a primary information source.

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"lexibility allows us to meet peak demands with reduced staffing costs."

- Susan O' Brien, Vice President, Assistant Treasurer, GE Capital (2001)

A 'Flexible' Workplace

In 2002, Hewlett Packard India (HP India)¹ was ranked the third best employer in India by the Best Employers in India Survey². The survey studied the extent of employee satisfaction with regard to seven factors including the culture and purpose of a company, its work environment, relationships between the employees, the nature of work, rewards and recognition, work-life balance and growth and development opportunities. What distinguished HP India from other best employers was its consideration of the personal needs of its employees, and the 'flexible work options'policy adopted by the company.

Human Resource and Organization Behavior | Case Study in Management, Operations, Strategies, Human Resource and Organization Behavior, Case Studies

HP India offered its employees almost all forms of flexible work options (FWO). It allowed its employees to work part-time or for flexible hours, especially young mothers. For instance, Sujata Sundaresan, a financial analyst at HP India, started working part time after maternity. HP India also allowed telecommuting, which allowed its employees to come to the office only for half a day and work from home for the rest of the day. Employees were also allowed to return to the normal schedule after working as per any of the flexibility options for a specified time period.

A few companies, both multinational as well as domestic started introducing FWOs in some form or another since late 1990s (Refer Exhibit I). For instance, Procter & Gamble India³ (P&G India), ranked the second best employer in India by the Best Employers in India 2002 Survey, had introduced flexible work options in 1999. Initially, the company offered flexitime and sabbatical leave and included telecommuting options among these by late 2001. According to the survey, ICICI, the fourth best employer in India, also offered some forms of flexible work options, especially for women. Since a majority of ICICI's employees were women, it allowed them to work part time, keeping in mind their domestic responsibilities.

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1] The Indian subsidiary of Hewlett Packard (HP), the second largest computer and computer peripherals manufacturer in the world.

2] The Best Employers in India survey is a study intended to examine leading people management practices of organizations across the country. It also aims to provide insights into how companies can achieve a real competitive advantage using the full potential of its people. The study is jointly done by Business Today and Hewlett Associates LLC. Business Today is a part of the India Today Group of Publications and one of the leading business magazines. Hewlett Associates LLC is a global management consultancy firms specializing in strategic workforce solutions.

3] The Indian subsidiary of US-based Procter and Gamble Corporation.