This content is brought to you in partnership with Family Forward NC, an innovative initiative to improve children’s health and well-being and keep North Carolina’s businesses competitive. Register for the Family Forward NC Summit to learn how your business can attract and retain top talent while developing the workforce of tomorrow.
Family-friendly workplaces are becoming a much bigger priority when it comes to choosing or staying at a job. Eight out of 10 N.C. employees see flexible hours and schedules as an important workplace practice, according to Family Forward NC.
Family Forward NC features flexibility and workplace scheduling practices as part of its newly released Guide to Family Forward Workplaces. The guide provides research and tools for employers to implement workplace policies that have proven positive business outcomes and a positive impact on child health and well-being. One key opportunity for employers to provide flexibility is to offer flexible work schedules, allowing employees to choose when they work as long as they put in their hours every week.
Lulu Press, a Morrisville-based online self publishing company founded by Red Hat founder Bob Young, offers a variety of employee benefits, including a flexible work schedule. Core work hours at Lulu are from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; outside of these hours, employees can set their own schedule to accommodate appointments, school-drop off or pick-up schedules and family needs. Telecommuting once a week is also an option after employees have been with the company for a year.
Here are the top five reasons why more employers are adopting flexible work arrangements into their workplace:
1. Increases productivity, which improves the bottom line. “Happy, engaged employees are more productive employees,” says Kris Phinney, Lulu’s human resources manager. “It’s a simple fact.”
2. Improves recruitment. Up to 5 million more workers would join the labor force if U.S. employers offered more family-friendly benefits, according to a report from the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco.
3. Increases retention, reducing turnover costs. Nearly 40% of parents say they’ve left a job because it lacked flexibility, according to Family Forward NC.
4. Reduces employee absenteeism. Family Forward found that employers nationwide lose $4.4 billion each year due to employee absences or loss of productivity related to child care issues.
5. Increases morale, loyalty and commitment — along with overall job satisfaction. “We realize people have lives outside of work,” says Phinney. “They may have children, aging parents, health issues. If you can give someone flexibility to handle responsibilities that may be stressful in their lives — without them having to worry that they have to be at work exactly at 8 a.m. — that goes a long way.”
If you’re looking for a way to make your North Carolina business smart, family friendly and future ready, Family Forward NC can help. Check out their blog and employer guide, attend the Family Forward NC Summit, sign up for their newsletter, or follow them on social media for more helpful tips from the experts.
