Flexitime as a tool to reduce employee stress : an exploratory study.

Abstract

The aim of the study was to investigate flexitime as a potential moderator to reduce the administrative employee stress, and to reduce the negative aspects associated with stress through the use of flexitime programmes. This exploratory study was conducted in a tertiary environment. The literature review explores the core areas of the main and sub-variables. A literature review was conducted relating to the key variables of the study, that is, flexitime and stress. In terms of flexitime, emphasis was placed on the benefits of flexitime, flexible work practice and the drawbacks of flexitime. In terms of stress, emphasis was placed on stress reduction, work/life balance and employee commitment. This study was conducted with a sample of 97 subjects from a tertiary environment. The data was collected using questionnaires, and reliability was also determined. Various statistical techniques were used to test the hypotheses. Data was analysed using both descriptive and inferential statistics and the results were presented using tabular and graphical representations. Furthermore, comparisons were made with studies of other researchers who have embarked on this area of the study or studies close to this research topic. The study shows correlations and significant associations with employee stress and flexitime. The findings also indicate that stress can be reduced through the moderator, that is, flexitime.