Flex, baby, flex!

January 23rd, 2007

This comment thread reminded me that I had yet to post about a cool study released last week from the Simmons School of Management in Boston, about working moms who successfully negotiated flex jobs without giving up any pay. An uplifting excerpt:

A full 88 percent said flexible work arrangements allowed them to continue working full-time despite managing complex personal lives.

Contrary to accepted wisdom, researchers said, employees using flexible work arrangements tended to earn the same as those on regular work schedules. About 85 percent of the survey’s respondents were responsible for at least half of their household incomes.

This is great news. Even better would be if such fair, workable flex policies trickled down to the lower-paying, lower-level jobs so many lower-income mothers fill.

The study also reiterated a key point that groups like Moms Rising have been saying all along:

…more than 60 percent of the survey’s respondents said they were more loyal to employers offering flexible schedules, telecommutes, and other options.

Are you listening Wal-Mart?

Entry Filed under: Balance, Working moms