No Surprise Here: Younger Workers “Keener” on Flexible Working

Jasmine Flowers May 16, 2008

According to HRMguide.com, younger workers between the ages 18-34 are twice as likely to prefer flexible working conditions as older employees. “Employees aged 18-34 were most likely to look forward to controlling their own schedules, while respondents aged 35-44 year olds indicated that they would value more time with family… Younger workers expect freedom and flexibility, and online remote access and collaboration services enable people to work on their own terms. When employers provide these tools for connecting employees with their PCs, customers, prospects and co-workers across town or halfway around the world, everyone benefits.” 

Although telecommuting seems to be the best option, many say that it might mean sacrificing dreams of making it to the Executive level. Why you ask? In my opinion the answer is perception. The perception is that in order display effective management, one must physically be in the office giving “face-time to both employees and other Executives. I don’t equate “face-time” to productivity, high performance, or value-add but it seems that “face-time” will increase the probability for promotions, recognition, and opportunities in general and mitigate against the effects of “out of sight, out of mind.” Over time I do think this perception will evolve as leadership changes, as new technology makes it increasingly more beneficial to telecommute, and as the potential reductions in cost is realized.

Posted in Human Resources Analytics