Pune, Dec 20: It is five years since the JN Marshall group of companies introduced flexi-timings, the first in the Pune industrial belt. Over the years it has been refined and modified, keeping in mind the needs of the people who use it, Rati Forbes, director (human resource and welfare) of JN Marshall, said.

The success of the system can be gauged by the fact that the plan was initally offered only to the non-unionised staff. Seeing the benefits, the existing staff union disbanded itself so as to become eligible, Forbes said, adding that they had had their share of "teething problems" in the first couple of years.

The scheme involves working 47 1/2 hours a week with a core timing of 9 am to 4 pm at the group's Kasarwadi premises and 8.30 am to 4 pm at its MIDC, Bhosari, premises, when everyone has to be present. Since the company works a five-day week, with Saturday and Sunday off, the daily seven-hour work schedule at Kasarwadi and seven-and-a-half hours at Bhosari leaves a gap of 12 and 12 1/2 hours respectively. The industry average in the Pune region is 48 hours, working a six-day week.

The 12-(or 12 1/2) hour difference can be made up between 6.30 am and 6 pm, including Saturdays. Although industrial units in the Pimpri-Chinchwad area, where the JNM group units are located, have a weekly off on Thursdays instead of Sundays due to the power shut-off by the Maharashtra State Electricity Board (MSEB), the JNM group has a policy of a Sunday off and added the Saturday, making it a two-day weekend, which has now become a major attraction.

Among the refinements and additions worked into the flexi-timings, Forbes said they have introduced a facility which allows an employee to work half- time, at a proportionately reduced salary, for a finite period. She was categorical that this was not an open-ended facility and was extended only at the discretion of the manager of the department. The manager's consent is required since some mangers believe such facilities adversely affect discipline.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.