Tweet

On the Search for the Flexible Working Environment

Written by: Judy Martin

Article Overview: Creating a more flexible working environment is not as far fetched as it used to be. With the entry of the Gen x and Gen y clan along with 78 million baby boomers heading toward retirement, companies are easing their stronghold on mandating the typical 9-5 working environment. But how do you ask your employer to change your workday structure?

On the Search for the Flexible Working Environment

When companies like Grumman downsized in the late 1980s and early 1990s in New York, roughly 100,000 Long Island jobs were lost. As the defense and manufacturing industry steadily declined it seemed that the damage to the local workforce and economy would be both sustained and substantial. But recovery was quick as small businesses stepped up to fill the gap and flourished.

In 2007, Long Island continues to enjoy a relatively healthy but modest growth in employment, and an economy that exceeds most metropolitan area economies as the 17th largest in the nation. But now there are new challenges: rising interest rates, taxes, healthcare and energy costs.

Combating those challenges is contingent on maintaining workforce stability, by adapting to employees changing needs, says Linda Lisi Juergens, Executive Director of the Long Island-based National Association of Mothers Center. Challenges include an aging labor pool, rise in single-parent workers, employees’ needs for child care and elder care, as well as the looming threat of brain drain as people flee the area’s high cost of living. Here’s more of what she had to say:

JUDY: What is the predominate attitude toward work/life integration on the Island?
LINDA: In the preponderance of smaller and middle-sized companies, we feel there’s work to be done allowing for flexibility and supporting the employees who need better work/life integration. Research shows this really helps the bottom line, but smaller companies believe implementation might “break the bank.”

JUDY: What’s an example of a policy that companies might employ that won’t “break the bank?”
LINDA: Flexibility is one. Allow your employees to make a business case to you about filling their needs while fulfilling their work requirements. Then put it into place temporarily — say three months — and then review it. If it’s working and you’re getting the amount of quality work you need from them — you both benefit.

JUDY: How important are work/life issues in regard to boosting revenue and profits?
LINDA: It’s absolutely necessary. Take for example a workforce who has children and elderly parents to care for -- the pressures this can create will only get worse as baby boomers age themselves. Seasoned accomplished companies have found that giving flexibility to employees so they can deal with their life issues was good for their bottom-line, as those workers became less burdened and more productive.

JUDY: How likely is it for an employer to take the time for an internal assessment about whether there’s room for change?
LINDA: It varies by industry and profession. The opportunity to work at home requires an attitude on the part of supervisors or managers that face time is not all important. Just because you see somebody sitting at their desk, it doesn’t mean they’re accomplishing what they need to. If you can set goals and the employee is reaching those goals within the time frame that you give them — wherever they are — then it can work. It’s about results and the products that are produced, rather than whether they (employees) are under my nose.

JUDY: Even the idea of stirring the pot is fearful. What is the greatest benefit of heading down this uncharted road and allowing for that change?
LINDA: Retention and loyalty — and that’s invaluable. There are studies that someone who requests a flexible schedule or even a cut-back schedule, will accomplish part time, what they have previously accomplished full time, because they are grateful. They tend to be more productive with their time management. Acknowledge that people have personal issues and allow them to approach you and get help. In return, they’ll go out of their way and give 110 percent. So, employers really do benefit from it.

Related Articles
  Flexible Working - Brave companies
  Welcome to Your Home Based Business
  Flexible relocation
  Successful Management and Mobile Working
  What is 'flexible working' doing to our workforce?

Article Tags: brain drain, business case, child care, elder care, energy costs, gap, grumman, integration research, labor pool, lisi, long island, manufacturing industry, metropolitan area, preponderance, quality work, rising interest rates, single parent, smaller companies, t break, workforce stability



Related Forum Posts
Re: What is Your Favorite Thing About Owning A Business? - [quote="freddyb45":1t3lpfi8]For me it's the fact that all the time and effort you put in is worth a lot more, due to it making you "business" more profitable. Working for yourself is also a positive, although employing people you can trust is quite different.[/quote:1t3lpfi8] I like this idea. Working for yourself means you are investing in your own future, not someone else's, although there is value in working for someone else first to gain experience and confidence. Working for yourself does not automatically mean success, fame and fortune. For most entrepreneurs, it takes much work and dedication to get to the point of financial success and comfort - sometimes years. But the benefit is, again, you know you are investing in yourself and building equity for your own future. GT :-]
Re: SES Toronto Next Week - In that case, how about the following? Track: Get Me Up to Speed * State of Search Marketing in Canada Track: Practical & Actionable * Beyond Linkbait: Getting Authoritative Online Mentions Track: Advanced * User Search Behavior * Social Media Success * Web 2.0 & Search Engines * Giving Credit Where It’s Due: Which Campaign Sold What?
Re: help wanted in u.k. - Working on it all, a new world to me cheers brendan
What Do You Want To Be Taught? - Hi, My name is Jeff Foster, I will be moderating this new section. I want to get your opinion on topics you would like to discuss & be taught on. I see a great need for small business owners to learn how to perform basic Search Engine Marketing (SEM) which would include the basics about Search Engine Optimization (SEO). What do you want to be taught on? Jeff
Re: Search Engine Tips and Ideas - Share Yours - Hi there, I answer this post, to start off. I am still learning a lot on all these subjects. Moreover, we have a wonderful tool to find out from previous posts. On the top right corner, use 'Advanced Search' and write 'Search Engine Tips'. It brings up all the previous posts with that information. Check it out. You will be surprised all the inherent information stored.


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.

Tweet

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

The Value of Small Businesses

Ready for a Fresh Image?

The Digital Diet by Daniel Sieberg

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.