"Flexible workplaces with work-life balance 'win-win' for workers, employers: study"/ "Flexible work options influence employee decisions to remain or leave: Survey"

Jan. 6, 2023 "Flexible workplaces with work-life balance 'win-win' for workers, employers: study": Today I found this on BNN Bloomberg:

A new study on work-life balance says 

flexible schedules 

and shorter work weeks 

can lead to more 

productive, 

healthy 

and loyal workers.

The report by the International Labour Organization says 

giving workers flexibility in terms of 

where 

and when they work 

can be win-win for both employees and businesses.

The United Nations agency says flexible work schedules can 

improve workers' job satisfaction, 

performance 

and commitment to an organization 

— reducing recruitment costs 

and increasing productivity.

Meanwhile, the study found that employers who enforce strict work arrangements or schedules such as a

 9-to-5 office workweek, 

could see productivity 

and job performance drop, 

and turnover 

and absenteeism increase.

The report's lead author, Jon Messenger, says new work arrangements during

 the COVID-19 crisis 

and the ensuing so-called Great Resignation 

has placed work-life balance at the forefront of social and labour market issues.

He says lessons learned during the pandemic can 

improve both business performance

and work-life balance.

"Better work-life balance is associated with a multitude of benefits for employees," the report said, noting that the benefits include 

improved psychological 

and physical health of employees, 

increased job satisfaction 

and greater feelings of job security.

"A healthy work-life balance among employees is also beneficial for employers and provides a number of positive effects for enterprises," the report said.

"Companies that implement work-life balance policies benefit from 

increased retention of current employees, 

improved recruitment, 

lower rates of absenteeism 

and higher productivity."

The International Labour Organization report echoes the findings of other recent studies and surveys.

While salary and benefits have historically topped the list of sought-after incentives, 

multiple post-pandemic polls have found workers prioritizing work-life balance.

A survey by recruitment firm Robert Half conducted in late November asked nearly 800 LinkedIn users about what topped their work goals for new year.

The No. 1 response was work-life balance, 

with 39 per cent of respondents saying it topped their work wish list, 

followed by 28 per cent who said remote work options were the most important.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 5, 2023.

Flexible workplaces with work-life balance 'win-win' for workers, employers: study - BNN Bloomberg

Feb. 16, 2023 "Flexible work options influence employee decisions to remain or leave: Survey": Today I found this article by Daniel Johnson on BNN Bloomberg:

As more employers enact mandatory policies regarding in-office workdays, a new survey found that flexible work policies would impact whether the majority of Canadians remain in their current position or leave.

Cisco Canada released the findings from the second edition of its Hybrid Work Study on Thursday, conducted by Angus Reid. The survey found that 

81 per cent of respondents indicated that flexible work policies would factor into their decision to stay or leave a job. 

However, 61 per cent of employers are setting a compulsory number of days for their employees to be in the office. 

Additionally, 54 per cent of employers surveyed plan to or already have requested employees to return to the office more frequently. 

“Canada continues to face a tight labour market, and 

a flexible 

and inclusive 

hybrid work model

that meets people where they are 

and where they want to be 

supports 

recruitment, 

talent retention, 

and overall happiness and wellness,” 

said Shannon Leininger, the president of Cisco Canada, said in a news release Thursday. 

The results indicated that flexibility in 

where employees work was a top concern,

only surpassed by salary. 

Flexibility regarding the location an employee works was considered a top priority by 23 per cent of respondents when evaluating an employer, 

while a higher salary was considered a top priority by 34 per cent of those surveyed. 

“The future of work is hybrid and global. 

Organizations that prioritize flexibility and choice as core business imperatives will reap the benefits,” Leininger said. 

In total, 

79 per cent of respondents indicated hybrid work has positively affected their work-life balance. 

The survey also found that 

47 per cent of respondents said hybrid work has had a “very positive” impact on their work-life balance, 

representing a 16 per cent increase from 2021 figures.

CAREER PROGRESSION 

Despite the preference for flexible working options among employees, some also indicated that being away from the office could negatively affect their careers. 

The survey found that 38 per cent of workers frequently electing to be in-office said

 working in that setting would allow for more career growth opportunities. 

Additionally, 46 per cent of those choosing to be in-person said it would 

increase potential engagement with the corporate culture. 

Despite fears from employees regarding their career growth in hybrid work settings, employer opinions differed. 

In total, 49 per cent of employers thought that prospects for career growth would be equal for those in the office and those working remotely, the survey found. 

“Leaders and managers are critical to the success of hybrid work 

and need the proper tools and training to make it inclusive, equitable, and successful. 

It is incumbent on leaders to role model and define hybrid work for their teams because it is not a one-size-fits all approach,” Leininger said. 

METHODOLOGY

Findings were gathered from two concurrent studies conducted by Agnostic on behalf of Cisco Canada. The first was conducted among Canadian business leaders and the other among remote and hybrid employees from Canadian businesses.

The employee study had a sample of 1,000 hybrid or mainly remote workers in Canada, conducted between Dec. 2-9, 2022. The employer study was conducted between Dec. 9-15, 2022, with a sample of 509 Canadian business owners, or senior decision makers, at organizations with at least 50 employees.

Flexible work options influence employee decisions to remain or leave: Survey - BNN Bloomberg