Flexible Schedules are Employees' Most Prized Summer Benefits, Survey Says
Flexible schedules (38 percent) and leaving work early on Fridays (32 percent) are the most coveted summer benefits, according to workers polled by OfficeTeam. “Employees appreciate flexibility in their jobs because it gives them greater control and enables them to handle other commitments without sacrificing their work performance,” said Robert Hosking, executive director of OfficeTeam. The survey is based on telephone interviews with 457 workers 18 years of age or older and employed in an office environment.
Workers were asked, “Which of the following summer benefits would you most like to have?” Their responses include:
- Flexible schedules (38 percent);
- Leave early on Fridays (32 percent);
- Activities ( e.g., company picnic, potluck) (6 percent);
- More relaxed dress code (5 percent);
- Other (4 percent); and
- Don't know/no answer (15 percent).
Flexible scheduling is an inexpensive way to keep employees motivated. To ensure customer service doesn't suffer, Hosking suggested that businesses stagger workers' schedules to maximize the total number of hours employees are available to assist customers. “Companies should pilot flexible schedule programs before rolling them out permanently,” Hosking recommended. “This gives businesses time to evaluate the impact on workflow and productivity.”
Even if companies aren't able to implement flexible schedules, allowing employees to occasionally leave early on Fridays can have a positive effect on morale, Hosking noted. “Many workers schedule weekend trips during the summer and appreciate a head start on their travels,” he said.
Source: PRNewswire.
Reprinted with permission. © CCH
(Submitted June 2009)
<p>In a recent Office Team survey, a majority of polled employees chose flexible scheduling and leaving early on Fridays over other summertime benefits. Flexible scheduling is also an inexpensive way to keep employees motivated.</p>
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