WASHINGTON–(BUSINESS WIRE)–

According to a new
study released today by WorldatWork, a global human
resources association, in conjunction with National
Flex Day and National
Work & Family Month, workplace flexibility is believed to have a
positive effect on engagement, motivation and satisfaction, although to
a somewhat lesser degree since measured in 2010.

“Despite news reports focused on high-profile companies such as Yahoo,
Best Buy and HP reigning in telework programs, the data from this report
shows that only 3% of companies have actually canceled telework programs
over the past two years,” said Rose Stanley, WorldatWork practice leader
for benefits, work-life, flexibility and recognition.

The survey does reveal that most workplace flexibility programs are
offered by fewer organizations in 2013 than in 2010, but these changes
in specific programs are relatively minor and may be attributed to
organizations being more strategic about the programs offered to their
workforce.

Key findings:

• Telework (in some form) is offered by 88% of organizations.
• Teleworking, flextime and part-time schedules continue to be the most
  prevalent flexibility programs offered by employers. These programs
  are each offered to some or all employees in more than 80% of
  companies.
• 64% of respondents believe their workforce would say there is a
  positive or extremely positive effect from flexibility programs on
  employee engagement, 65% on employee motivation and 73% on employee
  satisfaction.
• Job share, career on/off ramps and phased retirement remain the least
  prevalent programs offered by employers.
• Exempt/salaried employees have the greatest flexibility; 7 of the 13
  programs in the survey are offered to exempt/salaried employees by
  nearly all participating organizations (more than 94%).
• The most prevalent flexibility programs offered to nonexempt/hourly
  workers are part-time schedules (93%), phased return from leave (93%),
  shift flexibility (91%) and compressed workweeks (88%).
• Career opportunities are not limited by the use of flexible work
  arrangements. 69% of organizations say that career progression or
  development opportunities are not impacted by an employee’s use of
  flexibility.
• Flexibility training for managers and employees remains a rarity. Only
  17% of organizations with at least one flexibility program said they
  provide training to managers about how to successfully manage
  employees with flexible work arrangements.

WorldatWork’s “Survey
on Workplace Flexibility 2013” summarizes the results of a July 2013
survey of 566 WorldatWork members. The survey was designed to provide
updated information about trends in workplace flexibility practices,
previously surveyed in 2010 and reported on in 2011.

The complete report provides additional data on telework, flextime,
compressed workweeks, workplace flexibility training, effects of
flexibility on motivation, engagement and satisfaction, and obstacles to
implementing flexibility.

“Overall, the survey shows that employers are continuing to utilize
workplace flexibility programs,” said Stanley. “It appears to work best
in those organizations where the concept of flexibility is part of the
organization’s culture and where employees feel free to request
flexibility as needed. The survey highlights that while many
organizations are utilizing one or more flexibility programs,
significant improvements still need to be made in terms of training
managers who supervise employees with flexible work arrangements.”

About WorldatWork®

The Total Rewards Association

WorldatWork (www.worldatwork.org)
is a nonprofit human resources association for professionals and
organizations focused on compensation, benefits, work-life effectiveness
and total rewards — strategies to attract, motivate and retain an
engaged and productive workforce. WorldatWork and its affiliates provide
comprehensive education,
certification,
research,
advocacy
and community,
enhancing careers of professionals and, ultimately, achieving better
results for the organizations they serve. WorldatWork has more than
65,000 members and subscribers worldwide; 95 percent of Fortune 500
companies employ a WorldatWork member. Founded in 1955, WorldatWork is
affiliated with more than 70
local human resources associations and has offices in Scottsdale,
Ariz., and Washington, D.C.