INTRODUCTION

The environment is man’s immediate surrounding which he manipulates for his existence.
Wrongful manipulation introduces hazards that make the environments unsafe and impede the
productivity rate of the worker. Therefore, the workplace entails an environment in which the
worker performs his work, while an effective workplace is an environment where results can be
achieved as expected by management. Flexible working condition affects how employees in an
organization interact, perform tasks, and are led. Flexible working condition as an aspect of the
work environment have directly affected the human sense and subtly changed interpersonal
interactions and thus productivity. This is so because the characteristics of a room or a place of
meeting for a group have consequences regarding productivity and performance level.
The physical workplace environment is the most critical factor in keeping an employee satisfied
in today’s business world. Today’s workplace is different, diverse, and constantly changing. The
typical employer/employee relationship of old has been turned upside down. Workers are living
in a growing economy and have almost limitless job opportunities. This combination of factors
has created an environment where the business needs its employees more than the employees
need the business.
A large number of flexible working condition studies have shown that workers/users are satisfied
with reference to specific workspace features. These features preference by users are highly
significant to their productivity and workspace performance, they are lighting, ventilation rates,
access to natural light and acoustic environment.

Lighting and other factors like ergomic furniture has been found to have positive influence on
employees health (Dilani, 2004; Milton, Glencross & Walters, 2000; Veitch & Newsham, 2000)
and consequently on productivity. This is so because light has a profound impact on
worker’s/people’s physical, physiological and psychological health, and on their overall
performance at the workplace. Ambient features in office environments, such as lighting,
temperature, existence of windows, free air movement etc, suggest that these elements of the
physical environment influence employee’s attitudes, behaviours, satisfaction, performance and
productivity (Larsen, Adams, Deal, Kweon & Tyler, 1998).

Job satisfaction is defined as the effective orientation that an employee has towards his or her
work (Saari,&Judge.2004).It describes the feelings or preference of individuals regarding work.
Job satisfaction is a very important component to employees in any organization (Frank &
Vecera, 2008) Many researchers and administrators have noticed the importance of job
satisfaction on a variety of organizational variables (Kreisman, 2002).

Dissatisfied employees are likely to leave their jobs, thus understanding of employee job
satisfaction and its contributing variable are important for any organization to exist and prosper
(Majidi,2010). Similarly Oplatka & Mimon, (2008) noted that the principal reason as to why job
satisfaction is to extensively researched is that it relates to significant association with life
satisfaction (Buitendach & Dewitte, 2005), organizational commitment (Cullinah, 2005) and job
performance (Buitendanch & Dewitte, 2005)

Flexible working hours :

Flexible working hours refers to the schedule which allows employees to start and finish their
workday when they want. This means that employees can come to work earlier or later than the
set time. Flexible working hours are work hours outside the standard Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to
6 p.m. schedule. Depending on your employment contract or your agreement with your
supervisor as well as your personal needs, you might work a night shift, part-time or during the
weekends. Instead of this being a temporary situation, flexible working hours closely relate to
your daily duties.

The traditional concept of flexible working hours is slowly evolving. Some employers offer
flexible working hours as a benefit. This is becoming more common in creative industries, where
writers and graphic designers may feel more inspired during the weekends or in the evenings. As
a general rule though, flexible working hours highly depend on your job responsibilities, your
industry and your employer's preferences or needs.

Types of flexible working hours

There are different ways to work flexibly. Here are some common flexible work schedules that
you might see employers advertise on a job description:
Part-time: Part-time contracts are widely available for professionals who prefer to work a limited
number of days or hours every week
Job sharing: This occurs when two people perform one job, and therefore, split work hours.
Working from home: It's possible to work full-time business hours from home or anywhere else,
however, the nature of these jobs usually means that you can be more liberal about your work
times.

Compressed time: This work schedule allows you to work a normal 35 to 40-hour week but over
fewer days. Professionals that often work overtime, such as pilots and doctors, work according to
compressed time.

Flexitime: In this situation, the employee gets to decide when to start and end their workday
within the employer's agreed limits.

Annualised hours: In this arrangement, you can work at any time you choose on the contingency
that you complete the annual work hour quota assigned to you.

Staggered hours: This occurs when your work hours differ from those of your colleagues. It
allows businesses to support operations when there might be a labour shortage.

Phased retirement: When you reach your industry's or company's designated retirement age, you
can decide to continue working by reducing your work hours or by opting for a part-time
contract.

Benefits of flexible working hours :

Greater work-life balance
When employees have a flexible work schedule, he feel more in control of your personal life. For
example, regular business hours might force him to miss valuable time with his family.
Sometimes he can get lost in your duties that he forget to pursue personal development goals
outside his career. However, a flexible schedule helps employees priorities the things that are
important to him, such as time with family, a gym routine or even a master's degree to enhance
his existing knowledge and skills.
Improves productivity
When employees set his own work hours, he can create a schedule that works best for him. Think
about whether employees prefer working in the daytime or at night. Determine if he can draw
more inspiration from working outdoors or from a coffee shop. Tailoring employees work style to
suit his personality can increase organization productivity. Flexibility gives employees a sense of
freedom in a way that makes his job feel less labour intensive.

Greater job satisfaction

Feeling in charge of his personal and professional life makes he feel more valued by company.
This, in return, increases his job satisfaction and motivation to perform to a higher standard.
When employee have a favourable outlook about employer and his job duties, the desire to prove
his potential comes intrinsically. Overall, this can lead to a decrease in employee turnover
throughout the company.
Avoid the bustle of the weekdays

When employees don't have to follow traditional business hours, he can enjoy his time and
maximize his workday. Simple benefits, such as avoiding rush hour traffic and relishing the
outdoors on a weekday, can decrease employees stress levels. It can also lead to a more fulfilling
life development goals outside his career. However, a flexible schedule helps employees priorities
the things that are important to him, such as time with family, a gym routine or even a master's
degree to enhance his existing knowledge and skills.
NEED OF THE STUDY

The need of this quantitative study was to test appropriate theories concerning job satisfaction and
performance that relate to flexible working hours and to find solutions to the problems of
absenteeism, absconding, late coming and high staff turnovers within IT Sector. These problems
adversely affect performance and are an indication that employees job satisfaction are not at an
optimum level.
This study determines whether the implementation of a flexible working hours can have an
impact on performance and job satisfaction and whether this aids in addressing these problems. A
quantitative research approach with a positivist paradigm, using online questionnaires to gather
information, will be employed where flexible working hours is the independent variable and job
satisfaction and performance are the dependent variables.
The quantitative research provides IT Sectors employees to view how employees in a public
corporate environment would like to structure their working arrangements and will allow the
employer to form an understanding of how the business benefits from the implementation of
flexible working hours .It forms a good basis for understanding the various factors that influence
Flexible working hours and how through its use, other organizations have improved their business
needs and outputs whilst keeping the employees needs and overall happiness as a focal point.
OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

 To examine the type of working hours in organisations

 To determine if there is a positive relationship between flexible working condition and

employees productivity
 To determine if there is a positive relationship between flexible working hours and
organizational commitment of employees
SCOPE OF STUDY

The focus of the study was to gain an understanding on whether employees who are offered a
Flexible working hours are more satisfied with their jobs and hence more productive.
Furthermore it looked at whether rates of absenteeism, late coming and absconding are decreased
through a flexible working hours. The study looks at the relationship between job satisfaction and
productivity and how flexible working hours play a role in this.

The scope of the study is limited through delimitations as this creates boundaries for the study (IT
Sectors).This study is limited to IT Sectors employees who is working in work from home job.
Findings will be limited to the IT Sectors department. The findings of the research are limited to
factors relating to the chosen department, in that specific area, due to the conditions that exists in
that department during the commencement of this research hence the conclusion of this research
will also be limited to the factors that the department is experiencing which may be related to
only that particular department and may not relate to the company as a whole. The types of work
performed by employees in different sections within the department can also be a limiting factor
as to whether a flexible working hours is preferred or not as certain flexible work arrangements
may not suit the nature of work such as a site supervisor working from home.
 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
A descriptive research design was used for the study, where primary and secondary

sources for data collection were used. Questionnaire was adapted from the previous

research of similar nature. Sampling techniques applied in this study was convenience

sampling. The study was conducted with the sample size of 50. Primary data was collected

by Questionnaire. Questionnaires were distributed through google form and 50 of them

were complete in all respect which was considered for the study.

The purpose of this quantitative study is to test the theory of job satisfaction and

performance that relates to Flexible working hours for IT Sectors Companies. An

examination into research design, data collection and analysis are discussed in this chapter.

Moreover this chapter specifically focuses on the following aspects of the research:

research procedures and settings to answer the research question through research design,

research instrumentation, research setting, research participants, internal and external

validity and ethical considerations. These aspects shape the research and influences the

reliability of the results obtained from the study.

Recent research was used to review flexible working hours, job satisfaction and

performance from peer reviewed journals which formed part of the literature review of this

study. The specific objectives as outlined previously are:

 To investigate employees satisfaction with a flexible working arrangement

 To determine the relationship between Flexible work arrangements, job satisfaction and
performance.
 To investigate the expectations employees of different age groups have on flexible work
arrangements.
 To provide recommendations on how Flexible work arrangements can improve job
satisfaction and performance in a corporate environment.
Responses were received by employees who participated in the survey to answer the

following research questions:

 Will employees be satisfied with a flexible work arrangement?

 Does a relationship exist between Flexible work arrangement, job satisfaction and

performance?

 How does the need for Flexible work arrangements differ amongst employees of

different age groups?

 The last research question was not addressed in the questionnaire. It formed part of

the recommendations that will be dealt with by the researcher.

 What recommendations can be made to improve Flexible work arrangements as

well as improve job satisfaction and performance in a corporate environment?

 RESEARCH DESIGN

A Research Design is simply a structural framework of various research methods as well

as techniques that are utilised by a researcher.

The research design helps a researcher to pursue their journey into the unknown but with a

systematic approach by their side. The way an engineer or architect frames a design for a

structure, likewise the researcher picks the design from various approaches in order to

check which type of research to be carried out.

Elements of Research Design

Here are the most important elements of a research design-

The essential elements are:

1. The method applied for analyzing collected details

2. Type of research methodology

3. Accurate purpose statement

4. Probable objections for research

5. Techniques to be implemented for collecting and analyzing research

6. Timeline

7. Measurement of analysis

8. Settings for the research study

TYPES OF RESEARCH DESIGN

Depending on the research type, a researcher can choose from different types of design.

Here are the most common types of research design.

Experimental Research Design

Researchers use this design to establish a relationship between a cause and the effect. It

can be used in a controlled experiment or field experiment. Quasi-experiment research

design can also fall under this framework. When using this design, a researcher observes

an independent variable’s influence on a dependent variable. For example, a researcher can

observe the effect of price, which is an independent variable, on the customer’s

satisfaction, which is a dependent variable.

A researcher can use this design to solve a problem through the manipulation of

independent variables and observing how the dependent variables change. For instance, a

researcher can experiment with price changes to observe how the changes affect customer

satisfaction.

The only difference between experimental and nonexperimental research design is that the

former employs scientific approaches to manipulate the control variables while measuring

their effect on dependent variables. A non-experimental design does not entail the

manipulation of the control variables.

Qualitative Research Design

This design aims to provide answers to how and why a phenomenon happens. Researchers

that use this design employ open-ended survey questions most of the time. And

quantifying descriptive answers is sometimes difficult. These answers are also difficult to

express using numbers. As such, researchers can use this method to collect complex

information or explore people’s behaviors and thoughts. It’s an ideal design for finding

ideas, formulating predictions, and explaining numbers.

Popular qualitative research design types include:

a. Grounded theory method

b. Ethnographic model

c. Phenomenological method

d. Historical model

e. Case study model

f. Narrative model

These methods enable social science researchers to understand the viewpoint of the

participants by focusing on human behavior.

Quantitative Research Design

Researchers use this design when they want to answer questions like what, who, where,

how many, and when? With this design, a researcher employs more close-ended questions.

That way, quantitative surveys are easy to transform into stats, numbers, chats, and graphs.
Most businesses use this design to learn about customers and gather data that they can use

to make decisions. For instance, a business can employ a quantitative survey like NPS

Survey to measure customer satisfaction on a scale of one to ten.

Common methods that researchers use with this design include:

a. Descriptive research

b. Survey research

c. Experimental research

d. Correlational research

e. Causal-comparative research

The focus of these methods is to gather numerical data and then generalize it across certain

groups or explain a specific phenomenon.

Correlational Research Design

This is a non-experimental design that a researcher can use to establish the relationship

between variables with a close connection. Ideally, using this design requires a researcher

to have two separate groups. The researcher should not make any assumptions when

evaluating the variables’ relationship and should use statistical analysis methods to

calculate their relationship.

The correlation between the variables is determined by a correlation coefficient. And the

value ranges from -1 to +1. A correlation coefficient that is towards +1 shows a positive

relationship while a correlation coefficient that is towards -1 shows a negative relationship.

Descriptive Research Design

When using a descriptive design, the researcher focuses on describing the case or situation

they are studying. This is a theory-based design that researchers use to gather, analyze, and

present their collected data. It allows researchers to give insights into the how and why of a

study. This design enables others to understand the importance of research. But, without a

clear problem statement, a researcher can engage in exploratory research.

Common methods that researchers use with this design include analysis, data collection,

and presentation. These methods enable the researcher to present a problem statement to

enable other people to understand why the study is important.

Explanatory Research Design

Just like the name suggests, researchers use explanatory design to expand and explain their

research theories and ideas. Ideally, this design enables a researcher to elaborate on certain

unexplored areas or aspects of a research topic based on their thoughts and ideas. When

using this design, a researcher focuses on explaining the missing pieces.

Exploratory Research Design

A researcher uses this design when they want to explore a research problem without past

data. But, a researcher can use few past studies as their reference. In some cases, this

design is used to conduct unstructured and informal research. Ideally, researchers use this

design for their initial research, hoping to provide a theoretical or hypothetical idea of a

study problem.
Common research methods that are used with this design include primary approaches like

surveys, interviews, and focus groups, as well as, secondary methods like literature

research, case study research, and online research.

Cross-Sectional Research Design

This design is characterized by three unique features.

The absence of time dimension; the researcher depends on the existing differences instead

of changes that follow intervention.

Groups are chosen depending on the existing differences instead of random allocation.

This design can measure differences from or between a variety of subjects, phenomena, or

people instead of a change process.

Therefore, a researcher can use a relatively passive approach when using this method to

make casual inferences whose basis is their findings.

Mixed Methods Research Design

This design is more of a way to examine a study problem than a research methodology.

When using this design, the researcher focuses on a study problem that requires:

Examination of contextual understandings, cultural influences, and multi-level

perspectives in real-life.

Application of constructs frequency and magnitude, as well as, rigorous assessment of

quantitative and qualitative research in exploring constructs and understanding their

meanings.

Objective drawing on the qualitative and quantitative data gathering method to formulate
an interpretive framework for finding new understandings and possible solutions to the

problem.

Some people argue that this is a type of quantitative research design. However, some

researchers see this design as more than a simple combination of quantitative and

qualitative research methods. To them, this design reflects a new way and an

epistemological paradigm occupying a conceptual space between interpretivism and

positivism.

Phenomenological Research Design

This design is a qualitative research approach with a focus on a lived experience’s

commonality within a group. The most common method used with this design is an

interview. When using this design, a researcher interviews the individual members of a

group to understand their first-hand experience or knowledge of a situation or event.

Sequential Research Design

A researcher conducts a sequential study in a staged, deliberate approach. That means the

researcher completes one stage first and then moves to the next. With this design, the

researcher aims that every stage will eventually build on the previous one until they gather

sufficient data to test their hypothesis. This design does not involve pre-determining the

sample size. A researcher can accept a null hypothesis, an alternative hypothesis, or pick

more subjects for another study after analyzing each sample. Thus, a researcher can get

limitless objects before they make the final decision.

Case Study Research Design and Methods

A case study design entails an in-depth study of a specific research problem instead of

comparative and comprehensive inquiry or sweeping statistics survey. Researchers use this
design to narrow down a broad research field into a few or one example that is easy to

research. A researcher can also use this design when they want to test whether a model or a

theory applies to specific real-world phenomena. It’s an ideal design when a researcher

doesn’t know much about a phenomenon or an issue.

Common case study methods that researchers use to gather information include

observations and interviews, as well as, secondary and primary sources analysis.

Single Case Research Design

This design is also cased single-subject design. It’s a design where the subject also serves

as their control instead of using another group or individual. Researchers mostly use this

design in education, human behavior, and applied psychology studies. Reversal design or

the AB research design is the most basic single-subject design. It has the first phase or “A”

that establishes the dependent variable. It can mark the response level before the

introduction of treatment. This level acts as the control condition. The second phase or “B”

starts when the researcher starts to administer the treatment. The adjustment period occurs

when the behavior the researcher is interested in becomes variable and starts to decrease or

increase.

Ethnographic Research Design

This design is mainly an inductive study method that a researcher can use to collect

information about their research subject. Some researchers call this method analytic

induction. It entails outlining hypotheses in survey questions and then administering them

within a research setting. Researchers can use this design in medical, educational, and

business fields. Some of the methods used with this design include interviews,

participants’ observations, and surveys.

Narrative Research Design

Just like the name suggests, this design entails gathering and telling stories or a story in

detail. A researcher composes a narrative based on individual experiences. They can

describe an individual’s life experience and discuss what the experience meant to them.

This design focuses on studying individuals personally. A researcher acts as the interpreter

of the stories.

Causal Comparative Research Design

When using this design, the researcher studies how an independent variable affects a

dependent variable through a comparison of individuals’ groups. What makes this design

different from a correlational approach is that it compares the groups of study subjects.

This is also the case for experimental research.

Retrospective Research Design

With this design, the result of interest has occurred already at the time of initiating the

study. This design allows a researcher to come up with ideas about the possible

associations. They also investigate possible relationships without making casual

statements.

Researchers have many designs from which to choose when conducting their research. If

you’re not sure about the best design to use for your study, hire professional writer service

or check a research design example first. That way, you will know what the design you

choose entails and how to use it in your study.

HYPOTHESIS

The study hypothesis is:

H1: There is a positive relationship between flexible working hours and employees’

performance?

H2: There is a positive relationship between flexible working hours and organizational

performance?

H3: There is a positive relationship between flexible working hours and employee

job satisfaction?
 SOURCE OF THE DATA

The sources of data can be classified into two types: statistical and non-statistical.

Statistical sources refer to data that is gathered for some official purposes, incorporate

censuses, and officially administered surveys. Non-statistical sources refer to the collection

of data for other administrative purposes or for the private sector.

The following are the two sources of data:

1. Internal sources

 When data is collected from reports and records of the organisation itself, they are

known as the internal sources.

 For example, a company publishes its annual report’ on profit and loss, total sales,

loans, wages, etc.

2. External sources

 When data is collected from sources outside the organisation, they are known as the

external sources. For example, if a tour and travel company obtains information on

Karnataka tourism from Karnataka Transport Corporation, it would be known as an

external source of data.

Types of Data

Primary Data

Primary data is the data that is collected for the first time through personal experiences or

evidence, particularly for research. It is also described as raw data or first-hand

information. The mode of assembling the information is costly, as the analysis is done by

an agency or an external organisation, and needs human resources and investment. The

investigator supervises and controls the data collection process directly.

The data is mostly collected through observations, physical testing, mailed questionnaires,

surveys, personal interviews, telephonic interviews, case studies, and focus groups, etc.

 Primary data means first-hand information collected by an investigator.

 It is collected for the first time.

 It is original and more reliable.

 For example, the population census conducted by the government of India after

every ten years is primary data.

Methods of Collecting Primary Data

1. Direct personal investigation

2. Indirect oral investigation

3. Information through correspondents

4. Telephonic interview

5. Mailed questionnaire

6. The questionnaire filled by enumerators

Secondary Data

Secondary data refer to the data that are gathered by a secondary party other than the user

himself. The common sources of the secondary data for social science include statements,

the data collected by government agencies, organisational documents, and the data that are

basically collected for other research objectives. However, primary data, by difference, are

gathered by the investigator conducting the research.

Sources of Secondary Data

Secondary data are basically second-hand pieces of information. These are not gathered

from the source as the primary data. To put it in other words, the secondary data are those

that are already collected. So, these are comparatively less reliable than the primary data.

These are usually used when the time for the enquiry is compact and the exactness of the

enquiry can be settled to an extent. However, the secondary data can be gathered from

different sources which can be categorised into two categories. These are as follows:

1. Published sources

2. Unpublished sources

1. Published sources

Secondary data is usually gathered from the published (printed) sources. A few major

sources of published information are as follows:

 Published articles of local bodies, and central and state governments

 Statistical synopses, census records, and other reports issued by the different departments
of the government

 Official statements and publications of the foreign governments

  Publications and reports of chambers of commerce, financial institutions, trade
associations, etc.

 Magazines, journals, and periodicals

 Publications of government organisations like the Central Statistical Organisation
(CSO), National Sample Survey Organisation (NSSO)

 Reports presented by research scholars, bureaus, economists, etc.

2. Unpublished sources

Statistical data can be obtained from several unpublished references. Some of the major

unpublished sources from which secondary data can be gathered are as follows:

 The research works conducted by teachers, professors, and professionals

 The records that are maintained by private and business enterprises

 Statistics maintained by different departments and agencies of the central and the

state government, undertakings, corporations, etc.

LIMITATION OF STUDY

 A limitation to this study was that the participants in the survey participated on a
voluntary basis and had the option of dropping off at any time during the survey. It is not
possible to conduct research without assumptions.
 Employees participating in the questionnaire will do so voluntarily thus showing a sincere
interest for participation, not because they are forced into it or doing it for selfish gains,
this will allow for honest answers to filter through.
 The criteria for the sample size are appropriate and participants have similar experiences
as those employees that did not participate in the survey.
 Another assumption was that the sample was representative of the population.
 Factors such as transportation to work and distance to the workplace from home are also
considered to be equal as this can result in differences in participants’ choices of answers.
 It was also assumed that all participants understood what was required from them when
answering the questions and that all answers from participants were truthful and that
participants were not coerced by management or through peer pressure to answer with a
particular response.
 Study is confined and limited only to IT Sector in India.
 ANNEXURE

An Analyses of Flexible working hours and its impact on Employee’s Performance

and Job Satisfaction in IT Sectors.

1. Name
………………………………………………

2. Your Gender?
a. Male
b. Female

1. What is your age?

a. 18 to 30
b. 31 to 40
c. 41 to 55
d. 55 above

2. Company name?
a. TCS
b. Infosys
c. HCL Technology
d. Wipro
e. other

3. Are you satisfied with the flexible working hours?

a. Strongly Satisfy
b. Satisfy
c. Neutral
d. Dissatisfied
4. Do you feel that you are able to balance your work life and performance?
a. Yes
b. No

5. Does your company offer opportunities for promotion and career development?
a. Yes
b. No
6. Does your company gives you the tools and technology you need to do your jobs well?
a. Yes
b. No
7. Are you satisfied with your work schedule?
a. Yes
b. No
c. May be

8. Does your company / team provide you support at work whenever you needed?
a. Yes
b. No

9. Did you feel your flexible working hours make a positive impact on your performance?
a. Strongly Agree
b. Agree
c. Neutral
d. Disagree
10. Do you think the environment at work help you strike the right balance between
work life and personal life?
a. Strongly Satisfied
b. Satisfied
c. Neutral
d. Dissatisfied
11. Do you see yourself working for that company in the next two year?
a. Yes
b. No

12. Did you think the positive relationship between flexible working hour an
employee performance?
a. Yes
b. No

13. Do you feel the positive relationship between your performance and job satisfaction?
a. Yes
b. No