News
The “Work-Life Flexibility and Dependent Care Survey,” conducted by the Regional Research Institute for Human Services at Portland State, WorldatWork, and the Alliance for Work-Life Progress, found that a new understanding of the need for work-life balance is now challenging the belief that long hours at the office equal success.
“It seems that employers are realizing that allowing employees to work flexible schedules and handle some of their personal needs at work can improve both employee satisfaction and bottom-line results,” says Anne Ruddy, president of WorldatWork, a professional association concerned with compensation and benefits.
Although the survey results are encouraging for workers, the data also shows that there is still progress to be made before use of flexible work schedules becomes commonplace. Ninety-five percent of the survey respondents said their organization offers some type of flexible scheduling, but most reported that flextime is not used by a majority of employees. The survey also revealed that flexibility is more often than not at a supervisor’s discretion.
A total of 552 compensation, work-life, and human resources professionals completed the survey. To view the complete survey results go to www.worldatwork.org.