Flexible working increases employees' commitment

25/04/2008

Workplace flexibility increases employees' commitment and reduces the number of days they take off, new research has found.

The study, published in the Psychologist-Manager Journal, surveyed 3,000 employees and their attitudes to work.

Its senior author, Joseph G. Grzywacz, said: "This study provides evidence that flexibility is associated with health or well-being over time."

It defined two main types of flexibility by location, such as telecommuting or office and schedule, such as flexi-time or job sharing.

The authors said flexibility can be provided by offering a variety of work arrangements and by managers supporting workers' lives outside the office.

"These results strengthen the evidence suggesting that programs and policies that promote flexibility in the workplace may have beneficial health effects for workers," said Mr Grzywacz.

Most employers of legal jobs support flexible working, although employees wishing to apply should first complete 26 weeks in their new post.

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