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Managing flexible working arrangements: 4 things SMEs must understand

By: MIKKI SILVERMAN

Busy Father Working From Home With SonAs the owner of an SME, it’s more important than ever in this rapidly-changing business environment to get flexible working schemes right.

Compared to ten, or even five years ago, employees are now looking for more of a balance between their personal and work lives. This can be a great thing as flexible working arrangements have been shown to benefit both the business and employees.

However, it’s still up to business owners and leaders to address how flexible working arrangements can be implemented in the business so all employees are happy and satisfied. You need to do this before your star employees start to leave!

Here are four things you can do to manage flexible working within SMEs:

GET TO KNOW YOUR EMPLOYEES

No two situations are the same, which means a cookie-cutter scheme across the board won’t work. Some employees may need to be in and out of office or have modified working hours due to parental commitments, while others may benefit from working remotely due to travel time or mobility issues.

Having a method of collecting this relevant information, such as through relevant onboarding documents, will help with implementing unique flexible working arrangements for each individual employee.

HAVE A SYSTEM FOR REVIEWING PERFORMANCE

While flexible working arrangements may see your employees working more outside the office than inside, it’s important to keep communication consistent.

Schedule regular performance reviews and implement a system of calculating work productivity – for example, have performance management reviews based on clearly defined KPIs instead of office hours.

Employees who work flexibly with measurable targets are more productive than those who sit in the office and slug it out.

REASSESS THE ROLE OF HR AND MANAGEMENT

Having the right HR management process is crucial in establishing and maintaining a healthy flexible working arrangement system within the business. As the conduit between staff and management, HR specialists are in the best position to understand both the needs of business and employee and tailor a method to maximise each other’s return.

If your business does not have a specialised HR person or if there’s too much burden on management to handle administration, seek out pre-existing scaffolds and documents to help with the workload.

RECOGNISE YOUR LEGAL OBLIGATIONS

Flexible working schemes aren’t just a bonus for you to award as you please – it’s also an obligation under Fair Work Australia. As an employer, you need to recognise that there are statutory legal requirements that cover flexible working arrangements for people such as parents, those living with a disability, those 55 or older, and so forth.

Hence, it is important you have the latest updated legal documents, contracts and processes to ensure your business is working within legal requirements.

By creating a workable flexible working arrangement within your business, you are better engaging with your employees and addressing their needs. Ultimately, happy employees lead to increased productivity and business loyalty.

It’s a win-win situation.

Source via Dynamic Business

About Ritchie Cruz

Ritchie has 20+ years experience in Public Practice, being trained as a Chartered Accountant in one of the largest 2nd Tier accounting firms in Australia. Experience also includes working in management positions in Medium to Large ASX Listed Companies. Recent experience includes working as a Group Financial Controller in medium size business going through the ASX listing process. Ritchie can offer big company management and reporting experience, to small & medium businesses.

Ritchie has a passion for small business start ups, helping clients grow from humble beginnings. See our small business start up page to see how your business can benefit.

Testimonials

  • Dr Krish Perananthan

    Cosmetic and Implant Dentistry

    Ritchie was recommended to me by my father and I have also continued to recommend him to my friends. He is reliable, efficient and has a…

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    I have and continue to recommend Cruz and Co to many businesses and individuals who are looking for a business advisor and accountant that goes over and above…

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    Director
    Automotive Parts Retailing business

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    Director, Travel Company Operations

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    Cruz & Co have impressed me the most is due to their efficient service.  They are…

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    Director, Import and Distribution Company

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  • Jonathan Yeoman

    Director, Technical Design Company

    This is a new business startup and Cruz&Co. have provided great help, guidance and reassurance from the beginning.

    Ritchie has provided us with excellent service and…

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    Restaurant Owner

    Ritchie Cruz is my Accountant. We have a solid 10 year relationship.

    Ritchie as always provide me with honest and efficient service.

    Is a great communicator, always replies efficiently to…

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    Business Tax – Beauty Salon 

    Ritchie has been managing my tax matters as a sole trader for 2 years+. Always very responsive to my questions and make effort to reply…

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    Business Tax – Travel Industry

    Cruz & Co was introduced to me this year and it was the best decision for my sole trader and personal taxation affairs. Ritchie the…

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    Business Tax – Electrical Contractors

    Ritchie is awesome. He is very professional and responsive and he is always there to help you. He even replies during weekend. He needs some…

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© 2025 Cruz & Co.

  • Home
  • About
    • Meet the Team
    • Our Clients
    • Testimonials
  • Services
    • Tax Consultant and Compliance Services
    • Small Business and Sole Trader Accountant
    • Outsourced Accounting Solutions
    • Business Structure
    • Outsourced CFO
    • Working Visa Refunds
  • Resources
    • Tax Refund Process
    • Client Assistant Schedule forms
    • Downloadables
    • Helpful Links
    • Rental Property Cashflow calculator
    • SMSF Tax Refund Process
  • Contact Us
  • Blog