Tweet

Flexibility---Increasingly Important Benefit

Guest post by: Joyce Gioia

Article Overview: New study finds that the stronger the culture of flexibility, the lower the voluntary turnover rate.

Flexibility---Increasingly Important Benefit

The brand new "Survey on Workplace Flexibility" offers some startling findings: the majority of employers in the United States now offer some kind of "workplace flexibility". The study, from the prestigious total rewards association WorldatWork, provides an inside look at employers’ views on flexibility. The study gauges the impact of flexibility programs on employee attraction, motivation, and retention.

The study revealed that while a vast majority (98 percent) of US employers offer at least one workplace flexibility program, most (nearly 60 percent) use an informal approach. WorldatWork defines this informal approach as one having no written policies or forms, where it is up to the manager's discretion to implement.

Four out of 10 say flexibility is "culturally embedded". Not surprisingly, the study found that the stronger the culture of flexibility, the lower the voluntary turnover rate. In addition, a majority of employers report a positive impact on employee satisfaction, motivation, and engagement.In workplace flexibility programs, culture trumps policy. And it’s not about the quantity of programs offered; it’s about how well supported and implemented the programs are.

The survey found that different sectors emphasize flexibility programs with varying degrees: compressed workweeks are more prevalent in the public sector (68 percent); part-time schedules are more common among non-profit organizations (90 percent); and publicly traded companies more frequently offer ad hoc telework (89 percent).

Companies tailor flexibility programs to fit the needs of their workforces as well as their organizational priorities. The most prevalent programs are flex-time (flexible start/stop times), part-time schedules (with or without benefits), and teleworking on an ad hoc basis (e.g., meet a repair person or sick child). Each program is offered to some or all employees in more than 80 percent of surveyed companies.

The study also revealed several obstacles to the adoption of flexibility programs, including: lack of training; top management resistance; and lack of employee interest in programs like "phased return from leave", "phased retirement", and "career on/off ramps". Given its importance to Gen-Y, expect more and more employers around the world to embrace flexibility as part of an effective Total Rewards Package.

Related Articles
  “Twelve Major Benefits For Being Well Organized, According To Your Strategic Thinking Business Coach”
  “Strategic Benefits of Business Coaching, According To Your Strategic Thinking Business Coach ”
  “The Top Ten Benefits Of An E-Newsletter, According To Your Strategic Thinking Business Coach”
  Whats In It For Them
  How to get a better response to your marketing by turning features into benefits
  How To Do Effective Local Marketing & Advertising
  Setting Sales Appointments
  Seven Benefits Of Strategic Thinking And Planning For A New Year According To Your Strategic Thinking Business Coach
  “Ten More Benefits From Strategic Planning, According To Your Strategic Thinking Business Coach Ten More Benefits From Strategic Planning, According To Your Strategic Thinking Business Coach”
  Sales Query Answer
  Benefits of Change Management - Are There Any? By Stephen Warrilow Platinum Quality Author
  Features, Benefits and Solutions
  It’s About “Them,” Not “Me”: Highlighting Your Juicy Benefits
  Features and Benefits
  How to Generate More Sales with Headlines
  7 Sure Fire Steps to Be More Creative
  Referral TIP
  5 Closing Questions You Must Be Asking
  How Does Your Service/Product Benefit Your Client?
  Remembering Taxable Benefits

Article Tags: benefit, flexibility, Gioia, human resources, turnover rate, voluntary turnover



Related Forum Posts
Re: What works for you? - Hi Yinka, I work better under pressure of deadlines when I am doing something for other people. However, I like to have the leisure to develop my own projects. The first case is what Stephen Covey calls a "Quadrant 1" activity ("Important and urgent") whereas the second case is a "Quadrant 2" activity ("Important, not urgent"). We should aim to make as much time as possible for Q2 activities so that we can develop our own projects. Easier said than done!
Re: What or Who Sparks Your Business Interest - It's interesting to see what the different motivations are by Age Category. I've noticed this around me: 20 to 29yr olds: Motivator: Money 30 to 39yr olds: Motivator: Success/Ambition 40 to 49yr olds: Motivator: Family comes first 50 to 59yr olds: Motivator: Leaving a legacy i've only gone that far in my analysis. Of course this is a braid generalization but I find that it helps direct my marketing to individuals in different age brackets. The product/service can be the same but the Marketing message (Benefit Statement) to a 20 year will revolve around "Money" vs. a 30-something would be on their "Self Image"
Import / Export Business - I am in the benign stages of starting an import/export business and would like to know the most important factors in the early stages of the business. 1)The most secure method conduct financial transactions 2)Important issues with development of a website?
It’s enssential - Advertising is essential whether you advertise in big scale or small. Having a signage outside your store or office is already advertising. If you can't afford to advertise in newspapers or radio, you can try giving out flyers and brochures. Do email blasts. Have a blog or website. Send SMS or text messages to friends and relatives so they can pass it on to other friends. There are several ways in promoting and advertising your product without really spending so much. Important thing is, you should always let people know you exist. As the saying goes "A business with no sign is a sign of no business"
She Wins, You Win: The Most Important Rules Every Businesswo - She Wins, You Win: The Most Important Rules Every Businesswoman Needs to Know Gail Evans, 2003 Also author of Play Like A Man, Win Like A Woman Inside jacket: Every time a woman succeeds in business, every other woman's chances of succeeding in business increase. Every time a woman fails in business, every other woman's chances of failure increases. Gail realized that one of the most important elements of the men's game, which was missing from the women's, was support: The boys know how to take care of one another. In order to create lasting success, women need to help one another and band together as a team. TOC The Woman's Team Why you must play on the woman's team How to join the team Tips for the team 1. Be a mentor 2. Rainmake 3. Uncover and share information 4. Keep quiet 5. Unite with all women at all times 6. Make team-related choices 7. Weave a female web Challenges of the Team Twelve team members to watch out for The eleven most common team questions (and answers) Conclusions Acknowledgements My own view Haven't read this yet, but it seems like she's advocating an "Us against them" mentality. Neverthless, networking with fellow women - and men! - only makes good sense.


Share this article with your friends. Fund someone's dream.

Leave a comment below or share on the left and you'll help support entrepreneurs in Africa through our partnership with Kiva. Over $50,000 raised and counting - Please keep sharing! Learn more.

Newsletter

Get advice & tips from famous business
owners, new articles by entrepreneur
experts, my latest website updates, &
special sneak peaks at what's to come!

Name:
Email:

Popular Articles

How do I finance a franchise?

Selling On Ebay The Good The Bad And The Ugly

ROSI Return on SUNK Investment

Suggestions

Email us your ideas on how to make our
website more valuable! Thank you Sharon
from Toronto Salsa Lessons / Classes for
your suggestions to make the newsletter
look like the website and profile younger
entrepreneurs like Jennifer Lopez.