Have you ever wondered how important flexible work arrangements are for your staffers? How about your business? When it comes to the value of flex time, look no further. This week’s latest news is based on a survey released by FlexJobs that shows the value of flex time, especially as flexible work ranks high on the list of benefits employees want—even more than salary!
Benefits Pro leads the news roundup looking at the value of flex time, specifically as it relates to parents and salaries. Although having a decent salary and additional benefits is important, the ability to work flexibly trumps them all. SHRM and Staffing Industry Analysts also discuss the latest findings by FlexJobs, including the reasons for wanting flexible work and work-life balance.
If you are looking to find the value of flex time in other areas, CMS Wire looks into productivity levels in relation to remote work. They focus their discussion on the importance of flexible work as it relates to reducing distractions and increasing productivity by working from home. And, in addition to increased productivity, flexible work and remote arrangements also help to widen applicant pools and increase employee loyalty, which is discussed in detail on AIM CareerLink.
Check out the latest flexible work news about the value of flex time below:
Parents Value Flex Time over Money, Survey Says on Benefits Pro
“A survey of 1,200 working parents by Denver-based jobs site FlexJobs found that only four percent of respondents believe having a flexible schedule could be detrimental to their career. Not only has that concern disappeared, but among parents, being able to work a flexible schedule is more important that how much money they’re paid.
‘Now that both parents work full-time in nearly half of two-parent households in America, and single parents account for 26 percent of family households with children, flexible work arrangements are one of the most critical components to making the work-life juggle possible,’ says Brie Weiler Reynolds, Senior Career Specialist for FlexJobs.
The numbers are impressive: 91 percent say parenting has made them look for a job that offers a flexible schedule. And while not all have found that ideal job yet, 84 percent said when they do consider a new job or promotion, flexibility is the No. 1 factor in their decision. Salary came in third on the list, behind work-life balance but well ahead of health insurance, an employer’s reputation, and retirement benefits.”
Parents Rank Flextime Benefits Ahead of Salary on SHRM
“‘Work flexibility is not just a convenience for working parents but a real necessity,’ said Sara Sutton, founder and CEO of FlexJobs. ‘Nearly 40 percent have actually left a job because of the lack of work flexibility options, and an additional 20 percent are actively looking’ for new jobs that offer these options. ‘From recruiting and retention perspectives, it is costly to any company for more than half of their working parent employees to leave or consider leaving, especially when 86 percent of working parents would be more loyal to an employer if they simply had flexible work options.’
The top reasons given by parents for seeking flexible work included:
- Unlimited job posts
- Low, flat membership fee
- Access top-level remote advice
- Unlimited resume searches
- Reach the right candidates
- And so much more!
- More time with family (83 percent of respondents).
- More free time, generally (45 percent).
- Limiting commuting stress (43 percent).
Discover a better way to recruit remote talent
Founded in 2007, FlexJobs is the most experienced remote & hybrid hiring platform.
The survey uncovered other benefits of work flexibility, including:
- 98 percent of working parents think having a job with flexible work arrangements would have a positive impact on their overall quality of life.
- 93 percent said it would increase their volunteerism at their children’s schools or with organized activities.
- 88 percent said it would save them money.
- 87 percent think it would help them be less stressed.
- 78 percent believe it would make them healthier.
‘Inflexible jobs make it next to impossible for working parents to be active and engaged with their children’s schools,’ said Brie Weiler Reynolds, a senior career specialist at FlexJobs. Parents are ‘also keenly aware of how work flexibility can impact their quality of life when it comes to health and stress.’”
Flexibility, Work-Life Balance Are Top Factors for Parents on Staffing Industry Analysts
“Flexibility and work-life balance are the most important factors when parents consider a job opportunity, according to FlexJobs, a job search website specializing in telecommuting, freelance, part-time and other flexible work opportunities. In its recent survey, work flexibility was cited by 84 percent of parents while 80 percent cited work-life balance.
When evaluating a job prospect, parents surveyed placed these ahead of other factors, such as salary, 75 percent; health insurance, 42 percent; company reputation, 39 percent; and 401(k)/retirement benefits, 29 percent.”
Ditch Your Office & Watch Employee Productivity Soar on CMS Wire
“When asked to identify the best place to get work done—specifically work that requires maximum concentration and creativity, such as designing a web page, programming new functionality for software, developing a financial report or writing a sales proposal — not a single member of our 34-member team chose the office.
Rather, they selected:
- An extra room at their home
- Their favorite coffee shop
- A train or airplane
Our finding wasn’t an anomaly. In a much larger study based on 2,600 interviews, FlexJobs concluded that 76 percent of workers prefer to avoid the office when they have important work to do.”
Benefits of Telecommuting for Employers on AIM CareerLink
“Potential benefits for allowing remote working:
A wider pool of applicants.
Many highly skilled workers can’t fit the traditional 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. office hours for personal reasons. But, these workers could still be significant contributors to your talent pool. According to a FlexJobs survey, 52 percent of job seekers looking for remote work are doing so because of family reasons.
Increased loyalty.
Happy employees are more likely to stay at their jobs. According to the aforementioned FlexJobs survey, 82 percent of job seekers looking to telecommute said they would be more loyal to their employers if they had flexible work options. Employees stick around when they are happy. In a 2011 Staples Advantage survey, 76 percent of employees that worked from home reported they were more loyal to their companies since they started telecommuting.”
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Readers, what is your organization’s value of flex time? Do you currently have measurable programs for your staffers? Share with us below!
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