In a recent poll of human resources professionals by DBM, a global workplace consultant, 66 percent of those surveyed indicated they saw a rise in requests for flexible work schedules during the last 12 months.
The top three reasons given by the human resources professionals for the flexible work schedules are:
- General work/life balance issues (76 percent)
- Working mothers looking to spend more time with their children (13 percent)
- The September 11th effect (8 percent)
"Clearly, U.S. workers are clamoring for more balance in their lives," said Tom Silveri, president of DBM. "Companies that are able to provide more flexible work arrangements will have an easier time attracting the best talent as we move into a period of potential labor shortages with baby boomers starting to leave the workforce."
Eighty-five percent of human resources professionals say that morale has been more of a challenge in the past year, and gave their top five ways to motivate employees:
- Flexible schedules
- Training and development
- Compensation
- Perks
- Vacation time