Flexible Employers Uncertain About Rewards

Flex Schedules: Two studies are out addressing the issue of flexible work schedules. According to Hudson, nearly 80 percent of employees believe the companies they work are flexible when it comes to taking days off for personal reasons. Surprisingly, the same study finds that 56 percent of employees fail to take advantage of the extra time. Why? Much of the blame goes to modern technologies that enable employees to “stay connected” even when away from the workplace, which Hudson says eventually shows up in lower productivity and other unfavorable ways. That puts the onus on managers to do a better job of making sure their employees take sufficient time off to refuel and remain productive. Despite those findings, nearly 40 percent of managers believe employees who are allowed to work from home will abuse the privilege, according to research by London-based communications firm Mitel. Employees don’t agree: More than two-thirds say working from home enables them to work longer hours and get more done. Along the same lines, work/life balance consulting firm Workplace Options said 59 percent of employees or their spouses missed thee to 10 days of work due to “lack of adequate” options for child care and elder care.