The Society for Human Resource Management threw its support behind flexible work in a partnership announced today with the Families and Work Institute. Through a joint initiative called Moving Work Forward, the two organizations will promote the benefits of a flexible work environment, conduct research and help employers develop cultures that both accommodate employees' needs and improve the employer's bottom line.
"We believe that workplace flexibility is the next business imperative; this is the next revolution to boost productivity," said Henry G. Jackson, interim president and chief executive officer of SHRM, at a Washington D.C. press conference. "I don't believe, in the future, businesses will be successful if they don't learn to accommodate people and the way they live. It's important that we not view this as a nice employee benefit, but as the business imperative it has become."
The partnership will develop educational materials and tools for employers to implement flexible work; conduct research on the impact of flexible workplaces on employers and employees; continue to offer the Alfred P. Sloan Awards for Business Excellence in Workplace Flexibility; and host a work-life conference later this year.
"We can now see that small, mid-sized and large employers that adopt effective workplace policies are succeeding," said Ellen Galinsky, president and co-founder of the Families and Work Institute. "Not only do effective and flexible workplace practices improve the lives of employees, they enhance business' competitive advantage in the 21st century. Flexibility works for both the employer and the employee."
A survey of human resource managers found that 51 percent cite workplace flexibility as the most important tool in recruiting new employees, Jackson said. A whopping 87 percent of employees told researchers that flexibility is extremely or very important to them, Gallinsky said. Both cited the importance of flexibility in rejuvenating businesses that are struggling with the economic downturn.
G. Brint Ryan, chief executive of the Texas tax firm Ryan, spoke passionately about his company's decision to embrace workplace flexibility and a results-oriented work environment, after seeing the most talented employees leave the firm. Under the new structure, in 2009 the company posted record profits and record revenues and enjoyed the highest client rankings ever. "Clearly, this has had a phenomenal impact from a financial perspective," Ryan said at the press conference. "I admit, I'm a rabid capitalist. I didn't go down this path to provide another employee benefit. I wanted to make money."
For those in the work-life space, this is an exciting development, with the potential to truly move work forward -- to spread the gospel of workplace flexibility and convert skeptics. It's true that when "best company awards" and partnerships like this are announced, there's inevitably some grumbling that the reality on the ground is different than the rhetoric from the leaders' mouths. But it's also true that our feet often follow where our words lead. Unless people are talking the talk, how can they walk the walk?
I'll be following this partnership with great interest. What's your take? If you're at one of the "best companies" for working moms or flexible work, please share the reality of your experience.
Photo credit: Getty Images
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