Careers that Offer Flexibility

A Trend towards Work-Life Balance

Flexible work schedules, telecommuting, and job sharing are three of the most common ways in which companies are helping employees in search of work-life balance.

Flexible Work Schedules

A flexible work schedule is becoming an increasingly popular alternative to the traditional 9 to 5 workday. At a business with this type of work arrangement, an employee may vary his or her starting and departure times to fit personal needs. However, he or she must still work a required number of hours per week and agree to be present during any “core” hours the employer requests.

Contrary to popular belief, the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) does not address the issue of flexible work schedules. This is considered a private matter between the employer and employee.

Telecommuting

Telecommuting, also known as telework, e-work, e-commuting, working at home, or working from home, is an arrangement in which an employee is allowed to perform some of his or her duties at home instead of in the company’s main office. It often makes use of a broadband Internet connection, video conferencing, virtual private networks, and other forms of technology.

While there are employers that allow employees to telecommute on a full-time basis, it is more common for this to be a part-time arrangement. For example, the employee may work from home on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday before returning to the office on Thursday and Friday for face-to-face meetings with his or her colleagues.

Job Sharing

Job sharing occurs when two employees split the duties of a full-time position. One person may work the first half of the week, while the other takes over for the second half. In this arrangement, salaries and benefits are typically awarded on a prorated basis according to the number of hours each person is scheduled to work.

While job sharing can offer great benefits for those in search of rewarding part-time work, this arrangement does have its drawbacks. Good communication skills are a necessity, since projects will still need to be completed when you’re away from the office. Finding a partner with a work style similar to yours may also prove rather difficult.

Finding Careers that Offer Flexibility

When searching for a job that provides flexible work arrangements, keep in mind these helpful tips:

• Consider your employer’s perspective. Keep in mind that it is not your employer’s job to make it easier for you to balance work and personal obligations. When discussing flexible work arrangements, it’s best to pitch your proposal in terms of benefits for your employer. For example, you may wish to mention ways in which telecommuting can help the company reduce overhead expenses.
• Build your skills. Not surprisingly, the people who are most likely to be offered work accommodations are those who are considered to be the most valuable employees. Make yourself someone who would be difficult to replace.
• Think small. If you’re looking for a new position, research has shown that companies with 50 to 99 employees are most likely to provide careers that offer flexibility. The 50 employee mark is crucial because this is the point at which companies must obey provisions of the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).

Additional Information

If you are interested in learning more about flexible work options, check out the following helpful resources:

• Work Options outlines several types of initiatives designed to promote a more flexible workplace and provides tips on getting your boss to approve your proposal.
• Working Mother publishes a list of 100 companies that provide careers that offer flexibility.
• Yahoo! has compiled a list of 10 career areas which are well known for offering flexible work options.