Work-life balance is the key to employee loyalty Paige Bowers Contributing writer, Atlanta Business Journal (Oct. 20, 2003) reports on a study by Spherion Pacific Enterprises LLC that found that work-life balance is an increasingly important factor for employee retention. The study found that 52% of employees plan to change jobs when the economy improves, and that this same group reported work fulfillment and balance as a higher priority than success and moving up the ladder.

"The study also found that 59 percent of workers either needed or wanted flex-time work schedules, while some (50 percent) wanted the opportunity to telecommute. Others (33 percent) wanted paid time off for community service. The rest of the work-life wish list included sabbaticals (25 percent), on-site day care and job sharing (15 percent). "

Among the examples of employer-sponosored programs implemented in response to this need, is this one:

"Everyone at Fleishman-Hillard Inc. -- including administrative assistants -- has a laptop for telecommuting, said company spokesperson Karen Kaplan. The company encourages employees to take the time they need to see kids in school plays and soccer matches. "

Similarly, IBM focuses on enabling a mobile workforce and encourages flextime.

"Seventy percent of IBM's local employees work flex-time schedules, Thomas said. IBM makes it easier for these employees to work anywhere they choose by buying them a new laptop every couple of years."

At some point we'll drop all these different names for the same thing. Call it telework, telecommuting, or flex-time and mobility - it's all about the technology-enabled ability to get work done, whenever and whereever needed.

8:18:28 AM    
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