News

Fifty-six percent of companies surveyed allow employees to address personal or family issues on company time, according to a survey of human resources professionals by the Regional Research Institute (RRI) for Human Services at Portland State University, WorldatWork^® and the Alliance for Work-Life Progress (AWLP).

The ‘Work-Life Flexibility & Dependent Care Survey’ found a rising understanding of the need for work-life balance is beginning to wear away the traditional idea that long hours at the office equal success. While 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 rather than an individual accommodation for employees with special circumstances.

While 95 percent of survey respondents said their organization offers some type of flexible scheduling, substantially smaller percentages report that flexible options are actually used by a majority of employees. Other highlights of the survey include:

• The most common way for employees to request a flexible work arrangement in nine out of ten organizations is to verbally contact an immediate supervisor informally;
• Over half of participants regard their working environment receptive to handling personal issues on company time, but 40 percent say the attitude is highly dependent on individual supervisors;
• Approximately one in three participants maintain that their work culture does not encourage employees to work flexible schedules, even though they are offered.

In response to the new survey data, Anne Ruddy, president of WorldatWork said, “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.”

“The Work-Life Flexibility & Dependent Care Survey, built on a partnership with the largest human resource professional organization in the world, again puts Portland State at the cutting edge of work-life research in the U.S.,” said Eileen Brennan, associate dean at the Graduate School of Social Work, home to the RRI.

A total of 552 members from WorldatWork^® and AWLP completed the survey to identify trends in work-life policies and practices in August 2005. Survey participants were compensation, work-life and human resources professionals from a diverse mix of organizations and industries. To view the complete survey results go to www.worldatwork.org

WorldatWork^® is the world's leading not-for-profit professional association dedicated to knowledge leadership in compensation, benefits and total rewards. Founded in 1955, WorldatWork focuses on human resources disciplines associated with attracting, retaining and motivating employees. Besides serving as the membership association of the professions, the WorldatWork family of organizations provides education, certification (Certified Compensation Professional - CCP^®, Certified Benefits Professional - CBP^TM and Global Remuneration Professional - GRP^®), publications, knowledge resources, surveys, conferences, research and networking. WorldatWork Society of Certified Professionals and Alliance for Work-Life Progress are part of the WorldatWork family.

Alliance for Work-Life Progress (AWLP) is the leading not-for-profit professional association committed to the development and advancement of the field of work-life effectiveness. Founded in 1996, AWLP strives to improve the professionalism of those working in the work-life arena and influence better integration of work and family life. In addition to serving as the membership association and thought-leader for the profession, AWLP also addresses work-life issues through publications, forums, surveys and as an education provider, including certificate courses. An affiliate organization of WorldatWork, AWLP has headquarters in Scottsdale, Ariz.

The Regional Research Institute (RRI) for Human Services in Portland State University’s Graduate School of Social Work (GSSW) was founded in 1972. The RRI’s mission is to improve the manner in which social services and service delivery systems are designed, managed and evaluated. The GSSW ranks in the top quarter of accredited graduate schools in the United States and offers the only accredited graduate social work education program in Oregon. Faculty are ranked in the top 25 percent for publications in major social work journals and the School generates over $7 million in external funding for research and training each year.

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