Should biz owners offer flexible work hours?

Mobile and at-home workers benefit from better work-life balance, says a new study by TELUS.

It adds these staff members can be more productive and that they demonstrate increased loyalty.

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The study, conducted for a year, surveyed more than 2,000 workers and their managers. It found most mobile workers and at-home workers (98% and 99%, respectively) say their duties have a low to moderate impact on their home lives and families, compared to only 71% of office workers.

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Based on those findings, the study suggests a larger number of employers should consider offering more flexible work hours, especially since more Millenials will soon enter the workforce.

What’s more, a 2013 IDC study predicted 73% of Canada’s workforce could be going mobile by 2016.

To handle this shift, business owners need to prepare now. “Implementing a flexible work program requires an organization to step into unfamiliar territory,” says Andrea Goertz, chief communications and sustainability officer at TELUS, who adds managers often have to reevaluate their working styles to accommodate these employees and align with new company policies.

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“However, when [the shift is] embraced by leaders and supported by the right technology, [mobile worker] programs offer tremendous benefits for both team members and employers.”

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Staff

The staff of Advisor.ca have been covering news for financial advisors since 1998.