Flexible Work Arrangements
Respondents were asked about flexible work arrangements that would help them with employment. Respondents were given eight choices for flexible work arrangements: 1) a compressed work week, 2) job sharing, 3) phase back to work from a leave of absence, 4) phase into retirement, 5) a part-time work week, 6) a reduced work week, 7) telecommuting, and 8) variable work hours. Respondents were given five choices of work options they may consider: 1) being self-employed, 2) home based work, 3) leaving the workforce, 4) a more supportive employer, and 5) a more flexible work schedule. Tables 7 and 8 below rank order the flexible work arrangements and other work options given consideration most often chosen by respondents. Respondents were able to choose more than one flexible work arrangement and work option consideration; therefore the percentages are an indication of how many respondents out of the total number of completed surveys chose a particular option.
They are not a percentage of the whole in relationship to other work options and do not total 100%.
The work options most often considered included home based work and self-employment. A reduced workweek and variable work hours were most frequently reported as being the flexible work arrangements that would help. It should be noted that respondents rarely indicated phasing into retirement (8%) or leaving the workforce (14%) was something that would help or something they have considered.
Table 7: Respondents preference for flexible work arrangements.
|
|
Frequency |
%* |
|
Part-time work week |
54 |
25% |
|
Variable start and end hours |
41 |
19% |
|
Job sharing |
30 |
14% |
|
Reduced work week |
28 |
13% |
|
Telecommuting |
25 |
11% |
|
Phase into retirement |
17 |
8% |
|
Phase back from leave of absence |
9 |
4% |
|
Compressed work week |
9 |
4% |
* Percentages reflect total number of respondents (from sample) who selected each specific work consideration. Respondents could choose more than one option.
Table 8: Other work options considered by respondents.
|
|
Frequency |
%* |
|
Home based work |
83 |
38% |
|
Being self-employed |
62 |
28% |
|
More flexible work schedule |
40 |
18% |
|
Leave the work force |
31 |
14% |
|
More supportive employer |
24 |
11% |
* Percentages reflect total number of respondents (from sample) who selected each specific work consideration. Respondents could choose more than one option.
