Comments for Flex Work Blog http://flexworkconnection.com/joomla/index.php/blog/ Resources for Flex Work Sat, 31 Jul 2010 21:53:51 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7.1.1 hourly 1 Comment on The Unspoken Truth About An Inflexible Culture by Jessica Riester http://flexworkconnection.com/joomla/index.php/blog/the-unspoken-truth-about-an-inflexible-culture/cpage/1/#comment-183 Jessica Riester Thu, 05 Nov 2009 20:23:55 +0000 http://flexworkconnection.com/joomla/index.php/blog/the-unspoken-truth-about-an-inflexible-culture/#comment-183 You may be right about some employer's attitudes right now, however, many I've spoken to are still concerned with keeping their top talent around (and rightly so) so they will be ready for when things turn around. Some are even forcing furloughs and reduced hours/comp as a way to avoid layoffs. I'm so happy to hear that you have good experience with job sharing. We just had a job share team from HP on our panel at our Next Gen Work event on Tuesday- very impressive model! Not only does it allow mothers to continue their careers with reduced hours, but it eliminates the typical job creep that occurs in part-time/reduced workload situations and allows them to continue progressing in their careers with respect to promotions etc. It also benefits the employer - they stagger their coverage so they are available more hours than a single person would be and they provide two different points of view to every project they're on versus just one. I'm a big fan and looking for ways to promote it to employers. Thanks for your comment! You may be right about some employer’s attitudes right now, however, many I’ve spoken to are still concerned with keeping their top talent around (and rightly so) so they will be ready for when things turn around. Some are even forcing furloughs and reduced hours/comp as a way to avoid layoffs.

I’m so happy to hear that you have good experience with job sharing. We just had a job share team from HP on our panel at our Next Gen Work event on Tuesday- very impressive model! Not only does it allow mothers to continue their careers with reduced hours, but it eliminates the typical job creep that occurs in part-time/reduced workload situations and allows them to continue progressing in their careers with respect to promotions etc. It also benefits the employer - they stagger their coverage so they are available more hours than a single person would be and they provide two different points of view to every project they’re on versus just one. I’m a big fan and looking for ways to promote it to employers.

Thanks for your comment!

]]> Comment on The Unspoken Truth About An Inflexible Culture by Douglas Hartung http://flexworkconnection.com/joomla/index.php/blog/the-unspoken-truth-about-an-inflexible-culture/cpage/1/#comment-182 Douglas Hartung Thu, 05 Nov 2009 20:21:54 +0000 http://flexworkconnection.com/joomla/index.php/blog/the-unspoken-truth-about-an-inflexible-culture/#comment-182 I agree that a large part of on organization's willingness to consider more flexible employment options has to do with the culture, but another aspect is the relative degree of supply and demand for talent in the marketplace. Today, I don't see organizations perceiving a need to take efforts to retain top talent... many attitudes are closer to "in this labor market I can replace anybody, and probably at a lower comp package". That said, I've actually had great luck with more flexible accommodations for talent, especially job sharing for talented female employees looking to remain with the firm while also ensuring adequate time for their new families. I agree that a large part of on organization’s willingness to consider more flexible employment options has to do with the culture, but another aspect is the relative degree of supply and demand for talent in the marketplace. Today, I don’t see organizations perceiving a need to take efforts to retain top talent… many attitudes are closer to “in this labor market I can replace anybody, and probably at a lower comp package”.
That said, I’ve actually had great luck with more flexible accommodations for talent, especially job sharing for talented female employees looking to remain with the firm while also ensuring adequate time for their new families.

]]> Comment on Flexibility, Is It Really Just a Nice Thing To Offer? by Anne http://flexworkconnection.com/joomla/index.php/blog/flexibility-is-it-really-just-a-nice-thing-to-do/cpage/1/#comment-26 Anne Wed, 05 Aug 2009 17:02:28 +0000 http://flexworkconnection.com/joomla/index.php/blog/flexibility-is-it-really-just-a-nice-thing-to-do/#comment-26 Unfortunately, it was mostly just a politically correct and nice thing to offereven before the downturn of the economy. I agree with Jennifer's take on the perception among management that employees must be supervised at all times. Unfortunately, it was mostly just a politically correct and nice thing to offereven before the downturn of the economy. I agree with Jennifer’s take on the perception among management that employees must be supervised at all times.

]]> Comment on Flexibility, Is It Really Just a Nice Thing To Offer? by Jennifer http://flexworkconnection.com/joomla/index.php/blog/flexibility-is-it-really-just-a-nice-thing-to-do/cpage/1/#comment-25 Jennifer Wed, 05 Aug 2009 15:41:50 +0000 http://flexworkconnection.com/joomla/index.php/blog/flexibility-is-it-really-just-a-nice-thing-to-do/#comment-25 Unfortunately, there is a perception among management that employees must be supervised at all times. They completely miss the conclusive evidence that happy employees are productive and successful employees. There is more than one way to add up the bottom line! Unfortunately, there is a perception among management that employees must be supervised at all times. They completely miss the conclusive evidence that happy employees are productive and successful employees. There is more than one way to add up the bottom line!

]]> Comment on Can we blame the economy for less flexibility in the workplace? by Lisha http://flexworkconnection.com/joomla/index.php/blog/can-we-blame-the-economy-for-less-flexibility-in-the-workplace/cpage/1/#comment-13 Lisha Thu, 30 Jul 2009 14:22:05 +0000 http://flexworkconnection.com/joomla/index.php/blog/can-we-blame-the-economy-for-less-flexibility-in-the-workplace/#comment-13 Wow. You nailed it there. Why are we so afraid to ask for reduced hours? Worst that can happen is they say "no." But I think a part of us thinks that if we ask, they say no, then they THINK we feel work isn't a priority so we're at risk with the next "reduction." Ridiculous!!! Wow. You nailed it there. Why are we so afraid to ask for reduced hours? Worst that can happen is they say “no.” But I think a part of us thinks that if we ask, they say no, then they THINK we feel work isn’t a priority so we’re at risk with the next “reduction.” Ridiculous!!!

]]> Comment on Can we blame the economy for less flexibility in the workplace? by Jennifer http://flexworkconnection.com/joomla/index.php/blog/can-we-blame-the-economy-for-less-flexibility-in-the-workplace/cpage/1/#comment-6 Jennifer Thu, 23 Jul 2009 16:31:06 +0000 http://flexworkconnection.com/joomla/index.php/blog/can-we-blame-the-economy-for-less-flexibility-in-the-workplace/#comment-6 I think most companies are short sighted by not offering MORE support for employees. The happier employees are the more productive and the longer they stay, which reduces staffing and HR costs, lost productivity, sick days and more. Focus on the bottom line isn't always the best way to improve it! I think most companies are short sighted by not offering MORE support for employees. The happier employees are the more productive and the longer they stay, which reduces staffing and HR costs, lost productivity, sick days and more. Focus on the bottom line isn’t always the best way to improve it!

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