Think the United States stinks when it comes to worker-friendly policies? It turns out the U.S. actually ranks in the top 10 countries for flexible work, when surveyed by the accounting firm Global Thornton International.
Finland topped the list as the country with the highest percentage of companies that permit flexible work arrangements, at 92 percent, and followed by:
- Sweden, 86 percent
- Australia, 85 percent
- Thailand, 85 percent
- New Zealand, 84 percent
- Netherlands, 82 percent
- Switzerland, 80 percent
- United Kingdom, 79 percent
- United States, 79 percent
- Ireland, 77 percent
What do you think? Any impulse to move to Thailand and spend your free time on the beach at Phuket? While you're making plans, be sure to consider these countries that rank poorly for flexible work, according to Grant Thornton:
- Japan, 18 percent
- Greece, 26 percent
- Armenia, 35 percent
- Malaysia, 39 percent
- Turkey, 44 percent
- Poland, 47 percent
- Taiwan, 49 percent
- United Arab Emirates, 49 percent
- Russia, 50 percent
- Singapore, 50 percent
Of course, we know that offering flexible work benefits is only the first step toward a worker-friendly environment. You also need a work group and supervisor who actively support a flexible schedule, and a reasonable workload that can actually be accomplished in the time allotted.
What's your reaction to this survey?
Photo credit: Getty Images
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