Majority of U.S. Employers Support Workplace Flexibility
October 06 2015 - 2:28PM
Business Wire
New survey by WorldatWork and FlexJobs finds
64% of companies report their flex programs are informal with no
written philosophy or policy
According to new research by WorldatWork and FlexJobs, the
majority of companies surveyed (80%) offer flexible work
arrangements to employees. However, only 37% of those surveyed
report they have a formal, written philosophy or policy to support
employee flexibility options.
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WorldatWork, a non-profit human resources association and
FlexJobs, a leading online career site, released the findings of
the new survey, “Trends in Workplace Flexibility”, on Tuesday, Oct
6 at a national roundtable discussion, “Rethinking the
Workweek.” The forum took place at 9:00 a.m. at the National
Press Club, 529 14th Street N.W., Washington, D.C. and included
leading business executives, federal government agencies, policy
makers and invited guests who shared the real-life challenges that
threaten workplace flexibility.
According to the survey, mastering a culture of workplace
flexibility is not something that organizations do on the first or
even second try. It’s an evolutionary process that occurs as
employees tap into what they need to achieve work-life
effectiveness.
By far, the most prevalent flexibility programs offered are
telework days on an ad-hoc basis, flex time and compressed
workweeks. From 2011 to 2015, flexibility programs have varied
according to the type of program offered and the organization’s
demographics, industry and culture. Additionally, 41% of those
surveyed report that access to flexible work arrangements is not
widespread to all employees. (See Figure 29 of the survey report.)
Frequently, only a small portion of managers (42%) accept the idea
that flexibility is an essential element to organizational success.
(See Figure 26.) Only 3% of organizations attempt to quantify the
return on investment (ROI) of flexibility programs by measuring
productivity, employee engagement and performance ratings. (See
Figure 33.)
“Top employers today understand the valid reasons for creating
new ways of working, however we’re still witnessing a lack of
training and resistance from management,” said Anne C. Ruddy, CCP,
CPCU, president and CEO of WorldatWork. “Without a formal program
in place, it’s difficult to measure flexibility’s effectiveness.
Until that happens, companies will not see cost saving benefits,
productivity gains and increased employee retention, which all
comes from workplace flexibility."
A few additional highlights from the 2015 survey:
- More than two-thirds of managers (67%)
offer flexibility to all or most of their employees at their own
discretion.
- 66% of organizations cover the purchase
of laptops for their teleworkers, by far the most provided expense.
(See Figure 19.)
- While many managers still find it
difficult to estimate the productivity of teleworking employees,
48% believe teleworkers are equally as productive as in-office
employees. (See Figure 20.)
- 44% of organizations do not feature or
market flexibility as a key employee benefit when attempting to
attract new employees. (See Figure 23.)
“Allowing ‘ad hoc’ flexible work options without oversight or
intention isn’t a smart, long-term strategy for companies,” said
Sara Sutton Fell, CEO and founder of FlexJobs. “The 80% of
companies that offer flexible work casually are missing some key
strategic possibilities. By formalizing flex-work programs and
putting structure around them, they can track metrics, measure
progress and quantify goals and outcomes. The most important
part is to realize that work flexibility shouldn’t compete or erode
business goals, but should support a healthier more productive and
stronger bottom line when implemented proactively and
strategically.”
WorldatWork conducted similar employee recognition program
surveys in 2013 and 2010.
About WorldatWork®
The Total Rewards Association
WorldatWork (www.worldatwork.org) is a nonprofit human resources
association for professionals and organizations focused on
compensation, benefits and total rewards. It's our mission to help
total rewards professionals achieve their career goals and
influence their organizations’ success. We do so by providing
thought leadership in total rewards disciplines from the world's
most respected experts and fostering an active community of total
rewards practitioners. Founded in 1955, WorldatWork has offices in
Scottsdale, Ariz., and Washington, D.C., and is affiliated with
more than 70 human resources associations across the United States
and around the world.
About FlexJobs
Founded in 2007 by Sara Sutton Fell, FlexJobs
(www.flexjobs.com) is the leading
online service for professionals seeking telecommuting, flexible
schedule, part-time and freelance jobs. With flexible job listings
in more than 100 career categories and opportunities ranging from
entry-level to executive, freelance to full-time, FlexJobs offers
job-seekers a safe, easy and efficient way to find professional and
legitimate flexible job listings. Having helped more than 1 million
people in their job searches, FlexJobs has been featured on CNN,
the Wall Street Journal, Forbes, Fast Company and Good Morning
America, among hundreds of other trusted media outlets.
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version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20151006006755/en/
WorldatWorkMelissa Sharp,
202-315-5565melissa.sharp@worldatwork.orgorAmy Repke,
202-315-5514amy.repke@worldatwork.org