Flexible Work and Scheduling: Moving Forward

Abstract

[Excerpt] In recent years, large employers such as Best Buy and Yahoo have eliminated their remote work programs due to the need to “improve collaboration, teamwork and communication” in their companies. However, this is a reactionary approach to declining business outcomes which are most likely not caused by flexible work. This approach fails to consider how significantly flexible work now accounts for employee satisfaction. These organizations run opposite to the current trend - the percentage of employees working remotely increased from 39% in 2012 to 43% in 2016. Flexible work arrangements are now a permanent part of the employment landscape, and there is no going back. This document will outline the most recent thinking around remote work and flexible scheduling, by detailing the current research around flexible programs’ added value, best practices, and key case studies of companies implementing these programs.