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Flex-work schedules could see expansion

By Chen Hong (China Daily)
Updated: 2009-05-20 09:42

SHENZHEN: Irregular working hours could become more of a norm in this city under expanded regulations designed to help local companies weather financial crises.

"The system could help reduce labor disputes arising from the calculation of working hours, and would enable companies to arrange more flexible working schedules," Zhu Yuncai, a publicity official for the labor department, said yesterday.

Manufacturers could calculate working hours by the month or by the quarter so that overtime at busy periods could be offset during slowdown.

Other jobs, including sales and senior management, could also fall under the rules.

A system for irregular working hours became legal in 1994, but it is being expanded to cover government bodies, institutional departments, social organizations and non-commercial bodies.

According to statistics from Shenzhen's labor department, 815 companies in the city applied for irregular working systems last year, double the 2007 figure.

"We would carefully examine the applications before giving them a green light to make sure the arrangement won't hurt the workers," Zhu said.

The provisional regulation requires employers to negotiate with trade unions, employees' organizations or employees about the irregular working plan and inform them of implementation arrangements and the names of employees who would be affected.