Finland, Sweden, Australia Offer Most Flexible Work Schedules

June 6, 2011
If you’re traveling the world in search of the most flexible work schedules available for employees, you might want to settle in Finland, Sweden, Australia or Thailand – and take a pass on Japan, Greece or Armenia.

A global survey of more than 7,700 businesses in 39 countries found Finland to be the country with the highest percentage – 92 percent – of companies offering flexible work arrangements in the past year. Sweden came in second with 86 percent of companies offering employees flexibility, while Australia and Thailand tied for third place with 85 percent.

The top 10 countries for flexible work was rounded out by New Zealand (84 percent), the Netherlands (82 percent), Switzerland (80 percent), the United Kingdom (79 percent), the United States (79 percent) and Ireland (77 percent).

On the opposite end of the spectrum, the survey found that Japan had the lowest percentage of companies offering flexible work last year at just 18 percent. The list of 10 countries with lowest percentage of companies providing flexible work arrangements includes:

• Japan (18 percent)
• Greece (26 percent)
• Armenia (35 percent)
• Malaysia (39 percent)
• Turkey (44 percent)
• Poland (47 percent)
• Taiwan (49 percent)
• United Arab Emirates (49 percent)
• Russia (50 percent)
• Singapore (50 percent)

The survey was conducted by the global accounting organization Grant Thornton International.

About the Author

Laura Walter

Laura Walter was formerly senior editor of EHS Today. She is a subject matter expert in EHS compliance and government issues and has covered a variety of topics relating to occupational safety and health. Her writing has earned awards from the American Society of Business Publication Editors (ASBPE), the Trade Association Business Publications International (TABPI) and APEX Awards for Publication Excellence. Her debut novel, Body of Stars (Dutton) was published in 2021.

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