FlexPaths 2011

By Sandy Burud

You might be surprised how much it can help your company when you are nimble enough to work remotely, from home or on a flexible schedule. Consider this: 

• When people have options to choose how, when, and where they work, they are healthier. They sleep and exercise more and they get sick less showed a study by Wake Forest University researchers, which translates to savings for your employer. Medical costs are lower for companies with healthier employees; almost 50% lower than when employees have high stress.

• Sleep not only helps you, it shows up in the quality of your work, says the National Sleep Foundation, whose research shows that people who get enough sleep get more work done, and their work is of better quality. 

• People who work flexibly are less stressed and prone to burnout. At Bristol-Myers Squibb, people on a flexible work arrangement scored 30% lower in stress and burnout.

So, as you think about how great it is for you to be able to work on a schedule that suits you, or to change your work hours when you need to, or to cut down on your commute, don’t forget how good it can be for your employer. We'll be giving you more tidbits like these so you can help your manager see it from both sides, and to give you confidence in proposing a flexible arrangement.

If you already work flexibly, you might think about or even write a note with examples of how this way of working helps you be more effective. It never hurts.

Image credit: normalityrelief