Posted on 11 March 2026
AchievementDr Neeru Choudhary, a Principal Academic Staff Member at Open Polytechnic, has co-authored a recent research article that was published in the Journal of Work-Applied Management.
Photo: Dr Neeru Choudhary, Principal Academic Staff Member at Open Polytechnic.
The article is called ‘A systematic review of flexible working arrangements for frontline workforce: Challenges, benefits and implications’ and explores the importance of flexible work arrangements for the frontline workforce and offers practical and policy-relevant insights.
“It feels rewarding to have contributed evidence to an area that is gaining urgency but still lacks consolidated research,” says Neeru, who has been jointly working on a research study on flexible working arrangements.
“Completing the study provides a sense of achievement, knowing it can support organisations, policymakers, and frontline sectors to make informed decisions about flexible work practices.”
The article reviewed 71 studies to explore the benefits, challenges, and effective strategies related to flexible working arrangements (FWAs) for frontline workers.
The aim of the article was to highlight the importance and feasibility of FWAs for frontline roles, provide evidence-based guidance for organisations seeking to balance flexibility with operational demands and hopefully support future policy and research by identifying gaps and practical strategies.
“We recognised that, although flexible work is well studied in office-based roles, there was very little systematic evidence on how it affects frontline sectors like construction, healthcare, retail, and education,” Neeru says.
“This gap - especially against the backdrop of rising burnout, retention pressures, and evolving employee expectations - motivated the review.”
The article provides evidence on how flexibility affects retention, productivity, well-being, operational performance, and organisational culture, and identifies practical approaches such as self-scheduling, digital tools, autonomy, and flexible training.
It was coauthored with industry professional Gillian Brookes, who is a Flexible Work Specialist and Chartered Fellow HRNZ.
“This collaboration has been particularly valuable in bridging academic research with real-world practice,” Neeru says.
“The partnership highlights the strength of industry and academia working together to support a shared vision for the future of work.”
Neeru’s recent publications have focused on hybrid working and the future of work.
Her earlier research on work from home experiences during COVID-19 restrictions and conversations with her co-author, Gillian, about her work with the frontline workforce, inspired Neeru’s latest research article.
Neeru, who has been at Open Polytechnic for almost seven years, has more than 20 years of academic experience.
She is the Degree Leader for the Bachelor of Business and Bachelor of Applied Management, while also teaching in the New Zealand Diploma in Business (Level 5) – Human Resource Management strand.