Businesses Urged To Improve Efficiency Under Flexi-Time Regime

With the advent of flexible work arrangements in Jamaica, businesses must examine how work is carried out in their operations in order to achieve greater efficiency and productivity.

Chief Technical Director at the Ministry of Labour and Social Security,  Errol Miller made this observation while bringing greetings at the National Workers’ Week and Labour Day Thanksgiving Church Service held on May 18 at the Covenant Moravian Church, on Molynes Road, in Kingston.

“More plan of action must include examining the way in which work is carried out within organisations to look at how greater efficiency and productivity can be achieved and to seek to promote a balance between work, personal life and sustainable living,” Mr. Miller said.

Mr. Miller, who represented Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Derrick Kellier, said there is growing evidence to suggest that flexible work arrangements can enhance performance within organisations and the quality of life for workers and employers.

“Research has found improved levels of employee motivation and commitment during flexi-time as well as reduced absenteeism, lower stress levels, better health and general wellbeing,” he added.

A bill to facilitate the implementation of flexi work arrangements in the Jamaican work place has been tabled in Parliament.

Flexi-time, or flexible work arrangements, enables employees to negotiate with their employer hours worked with agreed conditions. This type of arrangement does not reduce or increase the total number of lawful working hours, nor does it replace overtime, or entitlements such as sick leave and vacation leave.

Meanwhile, the Technical Director said that greater emphasis must be placed on conservation and waste reduction in homes, work places and business.

“So it is fitting that during Workers’ Week and on Labour Day, we commit ourselves in caring for the environment and undertaking projects that will contribute to the physical and social development of our country,” he said.

Guest pastor and Vice President, Jamaica Evangelical Alliance, Rev. Rennard White called on citizens to come together to build Jamaica and to live in peace and unity.

Reverend White, who is also President of the Missionary Church Association, called on the churches to provide hope as well as the moral and ethical framework for the nation.

“The church must provide hope for the nation, that’s what we are here for. We’re a hopeful community and we say that no matter how bad it looks, there is hope,” he said.

Rev. White said the church must partner with government as stakeholders in all areas of national life.

“We must commit to working as we seek to truly beautify Jamaica. The land already is beautiful. Let’s build a beautiful people,” he stressed.

The event marked the beginning of National Workers’ Week and National Labour Day, which is being celebrated under the theme: “Take a Stand…Beautify Our Land”.

The service was organised by the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission, an agency of the Ministry of Youth and Culture, through the Committee for the Promotion of National Religious Services (CPNRS).