When I was being interviewed for my current job, I was told that the company encouraged a work/life balance, which was a huge turn on for me. Now that I’ve been there for a while, I’ve found that’s not really the case — especially after reading about so many companies that allow working from home once or twice a week and have very flexible hours. Some even allow you to bring your dog in once a week. According to a Workforce Management article, offering more of a work/life balance is increasingly important:
Recruiting the best and brightest is only half the game; retention is the other half. Competitors face the same issues. Gaining a competitive advantage is the key. Inflexible work arrangements are a primary reason top talent leaves an organization.
The article goes on to say that the employee’s relationship with his or her manager was once the No. 1 reason for leaving a job, but it is now lack of schedule flexibility. People want their lives back.
Because so many companies are beginning to offer flexible options, more employees are starting to look for (or even expect) those perks. I think this is great to put the pressure on other companies to offer options that help employees have more of a work/life balance. After all, happy employees work better and harder. Now that people have cell phones and laptops, it’s easy to work from home or at a coffee shop. Not that we should be encouraged to be “always on” and working at home when we don’t have to, but I think allowing someone such flexible options will allow employees to take care of more medical appointments, spend more time with their families and save on gasoline.
While flex time sounds like a great deal, my friend Lisa Takeuchi Cullen wonders if it is a load of hooey.
Does your workplace offer any perks that help you have a better work/life balance?
