Implementation of Flexible Work Arrangement among Healthcare Workers in Miri Hospital—Assessment of the Validity and Reliability of Flexible Work Arrangement Perceived Benefits and Barriers Scale, and the Exploratory Study

BACKGROUND: Flexible work arrangements (FWAs) have been widely implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic. We aimed to assess the validity and reliability of the FWA perceived benefits and barriers (FWAPB) scale and subsequently, to determine the preference and perceived feasibility, perceived benefits and barriers, and readiness to implement FWA among healthcare workers. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study using a self-administered questionnaire in Miri Hospital. The questionnaire was administered via a web survey design (Google Forms). The convenience sampling method was applied to recruit respondents. All healthcare workers in Miri Hospital who could read and understand English were invited to participate in the study. Response process validation, exploratory factor analysis, reliability analyses and descriptive statistics were performed. RESULTS: A total of 339 respondents participated. All items had satisfactory response process indices. Exploratory factor analysis revealed a three-factor structure. Items of ‘perceived benefits-workplace management’, ‘perceived benefits-family life balance’ and ‘perceived barriers’ have high internal consistency reliability (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.852–0.884) and factor loadings. Flextime is preferred and perceived to be the most feasible work arrangement. Most agreed that FWA helps in improving social distancing among colleagues (mean = 3.65, standard deviation [SD] = 0.99) and reduces their exposure to COVID-19 (mean = 3.60, SD = 1.06). A total of 44.0% of the respondents agreed Miri Hospital is ready to implement FWA. CONCLUSION: The FWAPB is valid and reliable. Almost half of the respondents were positive towards the implementation of FWA. These findings contribute to the understanding of FWA, and thus increase the readiness and acceptance of such an arrangement.