Abstract
This paper examines the experiences of employees availing of flexible working arrangements across four different professions within an Irish public sector organisation. The paper investigates employees’ experiences of flexible working and their perceptions of the impact of flexible working arrangements both on their individual career development and their organisational commitment. Fourteen in-depth face-to-face semi-structured interviews were conducted. The results of the study illustrate that flexible working policies are highly gendered with more women than men opting to reduce their working hours. This, in turn, has implications for career development strategies for both female employees and the organisation. In terms of accessing flexible working arrangements the attitude and support of the line manager is seen as critical. Despite a reduction in hours, all interviewees demonstrated a high level of commitment to clients, colleagues, and the organisation.
Highlights
Recent decades have witnessed a very significant increase in the number of women working in the paid labour force globally (ILO, 2004: ILO, 2007)
There is a distinct lack of synergy, between flexible working arrangements and career management activities in the organisation
What is problematic here is that the organisation is failing to engage in any measurable way in career management, resulting in a one ‘sided approach’ to career development
Summary
Recent decades have witnessed a very significant increase in the number of women working in the paid labour force globally (ILO, 2004: ILO, 2007). In 1971, Irish women’s labour force participation rate was low, at just 28%; while today, the numbers of women employed in all sectors of the Irish economy have reached numbers never previously experienced, currently standing at a participation rate of almost 59% (CSO, 2006). Associated with this rise has been a shift away from the perception of the family unit as consisting of a working father, stay at home mother and extended family providing support as required. The developments in information and communication technology have assisted employees in working off-site
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