Flexitime - The way of the future or destined to become a thing of the past

Flexitime... Is the 9.00-5.30 work day an outdated concept from the 18 ^th Century, what are the Pro’s and Cons of Flexitime and Flexible work practices.  Could Flexitime work for the wider working population or is it something which is seen by some as an opportunity to slack off?  Will the “net” or “wired generation” begin to question the fixed practices of a bygone “Industrial Revolution” era? Will 2010 be marked as a turning point when organisations looking for creative (non pay) ways to motivate & retain staff, rethink, “what” gets done and achieved, rather than “when” it gets done. Or, in the current climate, are the days of Flexitime and Flexible work practices numbered and similarly, destined to become a thing of the past.

Flexitime has recently been introduced where I work and I think it is a great benefit to both the employer and the employee. Some days I may want to stay late and other days I may want to go early. Flexitime facilitates this for me. I can now leave home slightly earlier in the mornings and beat the traffic. If I have a Dentist or other appointment I now take this during my flexi period instead of having a absence/late for part of the day and this benefits the employer.
Now when I'm finished a piece of work and it is 17:10 and my next task cannot be done in 20 minutes or I believe the task is best approached when I'm fresh i.e. first thing in the morning, then it is to the disadvantage of both my employer and myself to leave work at 17:30 with the task unfinished and having to come back to it the next day and have to remember what I was doing. Better to be able to leave at 17:10 and come in at 8:00 the next day or stay till 18:30 and come in at 10:00 the next day.

According to PricewaterhouseCoopers, Flexible working is the most valued benefit for employees, ahead of employee benefits such as bonuses. The article written by David Woods in yesterdays HR Magazine outlines that Flexible working arrangements were rated the most important benefit by 47% of those surveyed, above performance-related bonuses, which came second (19%). David also stated that Flexible working was given equal priority by men and women, with 41% and 54% respectively ranking this benefit the most valuable. And a better work-life balance was seen as more achievable in the long term by 42% respondents than vastly increased responsibility and salary (39%). You can read more here http://hrmagazine.co.uk/news/1006893/Employees-want-flexible-working-even-performance-related-bonuses/ but it definitely sounds flexitime is definitely the way of the future! Also, the full version of the Price Waterhouse Coopers Survey - Managing Tomorrow's People - can be found here - http://www.pwc.com/gx/en/managing-tomorrows-people/future-of-work/pdf/mtp-future-of-work.pdf