FlexPaths 2011

By Sandy Burud

Ever hear “Not everyone can work at home”? A new study finds that it’s not as limited as you might think. Check out what this new report has to say: 

Typically the administrative assistant position has had very little flexibility because being present at one’s desk at all times of the day to answer the phone and provide support for managers has been the key requirement of the job. Although the technology is available to perform key job responsibilities of the administrative assistant position effectively from a distance, manager attitudes have been the biggest barrier to telework and other flexible scheduling options for support personnel.

In one participating company, a very results‐based organization in which many of the managers are quite mobile themselves, administrative assistants are able to telework very effectively one or more days per week. Administrative employees who are part of a team determine a coverage schedule among themselves so at least one support person is at the office each day. Employees proactively communicate their schedules and contact information and utilize e‐mail, instant messaging and call forwarding to maintain satisfactory levels of accessibility and responsiveness for managers and customers. 

The report is called, “Innovative Workplace Flexibility Options for Hourly Workers” (May 2009), and you can register and download the report at no charge on the Corporate Voices for Working Families site. It’s all about how employers can get greater flexibility in work hours and locations to hourly employees.

It’s a great example of how looking behind obstacles and thinking a little more creatively can reveal new solutions that work well for workers and their companies.