       |
I was getting really bored reading this article about the different options the Labor Department has identified for flexible work arrangements. Sure, it’s great to see the different ways you can implement flex time (, but how many companies are actually doing this?
But then I got to the part that made me un-bored:
“The latest research by the Families and Work Institute in New York found that small businesses with 50 to 99 employees are significantly more likely than bigger companies with 1,000 or more employees to allow workers to change starting and quitting times on a daily basis (17 percent vs. 4 percent); return to work gradually after childbirth or adoption (66 percent vs. 49 percent); and gradually phase into retirement (25 percent vs. 14 percent).”
In other words, if you want a more flexible environment, work for a smaller company.
Funny enough, I’ve worked for two small companies (with the exception of Work It, Mom!, where I have an extremely flexible schedule, defined loosely as I work whenever I don’t sleep or take care of my daughter) and had polar opposite experiences. One was great in terms of flexible work and the other one was horrible. The difference was with my boss — the first was trusting and results-oriented, the second one was… well, anal and just not nice.
I think your direct superior has a huge impact on your work environment. So maybe that’s the answer — good bosses go to work at smaller companies.
Do you have a flexible work schedule or have you tried to create one? What has been your experience?
This entry was posted on Thursday, July 24th, 2008 at 3:36 pm and is filed under Balancing Act, Career Talk.
Tags: flexible work, job flexibility, small business
July 25th, 2008 at 11:47 am
[...] with flexibility Published July 25, 2008 work/life balance Nataly from WORK IT Mom writes a post about women in the workplace and flexible work hours. She refers to a New York Times article about [...]
July 27th, 2008 at 11:26 am
Ok, I agree that smaller companies will provide more flexibility, that that also means you have to take a pay cut or no health benefits.
What keeps me at my job now is the pay and the health benefits.
I have tried for more flexible schedule but that wouldn’t really matter because my commute is so long. 75 minutes each way.
I don’t want to work from home.
So I am starting a business to have my own schedule. But that also means I will be temporarily giving up on pay and my husband will have to get a job with health benefits.
July 27th, 2008 at 10:23 pm
The only way I’ve been able to find a flexible schedule is to work for a virtual company part-time. I’m able to work during the day or into the evening — whenever I’m able to fit things in.
When I worked for a small start-up company, I worked a ton of hours (60+ per week).
July 29th, 2008 at 4:27 pm
I work for a small company. I think it is true that your supervisor determines the flexibility. All 3 owners (my mgr. is one)expect us to work hard, but all of us have families and that is the main priority. Work does not have to be confined to the hours of 8-5. If I need to leave for an hour or two to sell popcorn at school, no one blinks. If I take my ill daughter in the office at 8 to gather items to work from home on that day, no one says a word. They have purposely created a flexible and non-judgemental environment. In return, they know that when a deadline is approaching I will work hard and make arrangements to stay later if necessary. Everyone wins!