Are we seeing the end of 40-hour work weeks by employees? While
some workers may be accustomed to toiling around the clock in an
effort to climb the corporate ladder, a recent study shows that
more and more employers are encouraging improvements in work-life
balance by offering flextime, alternative worksites, and optional
overtime in hopes of retaining employees who may be lured away by
less intensive hour requirements or more lucrative job
opportunities.
By The Numbers
According to the 2012 National Study of Employers conducted by
the Society for Human Resource Management and the nonprofit
Families and Work Institute, 77% of companies who were surveyed
said that they now permit or encourage flextime, up from 66% from
2005. Nearly two-thirds reported that they allow employees to work
occasionally from home, which is a significant increase from 34%
prior to the recession seven years ago. Employees are also finding
it more acceptable to turn down overtime hours.
