In the next three years, public and private sector IT decision makers expect mobile working to increase by 65 per cent and 33 per cent respectively, according to a study by the Telework Exchange.
Workplace Flexibility: Innovative Programs and Best Practices
In an Employee Benefit News audiocast, Women Entrepreneurs Inc. (WE Inc.) President Karen Kerrigan highlights the key lessons and practices that were shared by three company CEOs in the Flex Options teleconference: "Innovations in Flexibility: Taking it to the Next Level." This five minute feature offers tips and information helpful for businesses or organizations looking to implement or enhance flex-arrangements for their workforce.
On October 23, the U.S. Department
of Labor hosted the 2008 Opportunity Conference in Orlando,
FL. At the workshop session, “Flexibility
in the Workplace: How to Start or Enhance Flex Options for
Employees,” Jim Bird, CEO, WorkLifeBalance.com, reviewed
the many benefits of flexibility in work and life. Jim has
kindly shared his power point slides, which can be viewed
by clicking here.
Many thanks to Paulette Lewis,
Regional Administrator, Women’s Bureau, U.S. Department
of Labor, and Beth McCarty, Director, Talent Solutions,
Darden Restaurants for their outstanding presentations
at the workshop session as well.
Ms Kay Hirai, President of Studio 904, is strongly
committed to the company's mission of providing a high level
of service for her clients. When faced with
the challenge of maintaining an environment that would
continue to exceed customer expectations, while keeping
employees happy with schedules that met their needs,
Ms. Hirai and her management team developed a fact-seeking
process that ended up being a classic "win-win-win" for
customers, employees and Studio 904. Read
the full story here to learn how Studio
904 developed its successful flex scheduling program.
Special thanks to the Seattle Regional
Women’s
Bureau Office, U.S. Department of Labor, for submitting
this employer Best Practice in workplace flexibility.
On January 14, the U.S. Department of Labor Women's Bureau hosted a national teleconference focusing on "Best Practices in the New Year." More than 300 participants took part in this informative event. A transcript of the teleconference is now available, and can be accessed by clicking here .
On January 14, the U.S. Department of Labor Women's Bureau hosted the first Flex Options nationalteleconference of the New Year. The event included presentations by several organizations that have experienced long-term success with innovative approaches to workplace flexibility. Expert presenters included: Danette Campbell, Senior Telework Advisor, U.S. Patent and Tredemark Office; Shirley Crews Taylor, Director, Flexible Workplace Initiative, City of Houston; and Laura Schoppe, President, Fuentek, Inc. A lively Q&A session followed the presentation. To listen to the teleconference, please visit: https://www.mymeetings.com/mm/ims/d.php?o=1382286
The Pass Code is: FLEX OPTIONS. This audio will be available up until February 14, 2010.
Here is the latest edition of Flex News -- the latest news about workplace flexibility, as well as updates regarding the Flex Options program sponsored by the Women's Bureau, U.S. Department of Labor. To access the newsletter, please click here.
On January 14, USPTO's Senior Advisor, Telework -- Danette Campbell -- provided an update about the agency's award-winning telework program. The 2008 USPTO Annual Telework Report is a great resource, which includes an overview of the program and helpful information that will prove useful for various-sized organizations looking to implement or enhance their telework programs. You can download the document by clicking here .
On November 12, 2009 the Women's Bureau, U.S. Department of Labor, hosted an informative teleconference featuring the Returnships@Sara Lee program. Mark Demich, Sara Lee's Vice President, Organizational Development and Global Diversity, and Kathy Bayert, Senior Manager, Organizational Effectiveness, provided a comprehensive overview of this unique and highly publicized program. To access the transcript of the teleconference, please click here .
As this BusinessWeek.com article points out, there are clear benefits to telecommuting, but businesses need to consider several questions before implementing a program. You can read the list of questions by clicking here.
// Flex-Options Contractor Team
Meet our diverse team of work-life specialists and women business experts working in collaboration to make Flex-Options for Women a great success.
This special advertising section in Fortune Magazine
includes several articles about work-life success
stories and programs. This special focus on
work-life demonstrates how flexibility
is hitting its stride as a widely utilized and growing
solution in the workplace.
In 1998, Cornell University established a flexible work policy. Ever since then, the university has remained determined in its efforts to increase the utilization of flexible work arrangements by its employees. Through training, education, the use of technology and leadership, the percentage of employees now using some type of flexible work arrangement is testament to Cornell’s commitment.
A
Bloomberg.com piece by Sylvia Ann Hewlett provides solid examples of how some businesses are responding to tough economic times by adopting and formalizing workplace flexibility programs. As noted by Hewlett: “Some leading-edge companies are newly committing to flex as a money-saving strategy in tough times. The proverbial light bulb went on in Citigroup's corporate real estate division when it discovered that too many real light bulbs were shining in too many empty offices. The result: Citi's
Alternative Workplace Strategies, a push to provide a greener workplace through office-sharing and remote work.” Hewlett also points to other examples, including one by Sodexo, which simplified a formal process for its flexible work program.
Hewlett is President of the Center for Work-Life Policy. To access her blog, please click
here.
