Do You Yearn for More Workplace Flexibility?

According to the US Department of Labor, over 80% of the workforce in the United States would prefer flexible workplace arrangements. Further, as more and more people believe that a proper work-life balance is important; this figure will surely rise in the future. However, just what constitutes flexible working arrangements?

Flexible working arrangements mainly include the ability to:

Choose Your Own Work Arrangements:

Some corporations may allow people who are retiring to work fewer hours if they choose to do so. Additionally, flexibility with respect to how you work can refer to unique situations such as job sharing and temporary work. Additionally, some employers also offer choices with respect to what benefits you want to receive – for instance, some businesses allow you to choose from benefits – depending on which ones are applicable to you and your current situation.

Choose Your Own Work Location:

Some employers are quite flexible when it comes to where you actually complete your work. For instance, if you work for a larger corporation, they may have a variety of office locations for you to choose from. Additionally, an employer may let you telecommute from home either on a full-time, part-time, or on an as-needed basis.

Choose When You Work:

Often employees can choose different start and stop hours during the work week as long as they work a full work week. Additionally, this type of flexibility can include working a full time work week once again – but choosing to work four ten hour days – instead of the more traditional 9 to 5 five day work week.

What do Businesses Get Out of it?

Companies that offer flexible working arrangements are more likely to retain employees. As the cost of retraining new workers is high, retaining workers is an excellent way for a company to save money. Moreover, it is much more efficient to work with someone that is already familiar with a company versus hiring a new person who is unfamiliar with the company processes as there is often a steep learning curve.

It seems that more workplace flexibility offers a win-win situation for both employees and employers. What do you think?

Larisa Redins is a full time writer and editor with degrees in both Arts and Biological Science. She writes about career issues for PhillyJobsBlog.com and other topics for a variety of international websites and magazines. Please visit her other blogs at PhillyJobsBlog.com and view job posting at Beyond.com.