According to a new WorldatWork Study, 98 percent of U.S. employers offer at least one workplace flexibility program, and four out of 10 say flexibility is culturally embedded.

"When it comes to workplace flexibility programs, culture trumps policy," says Rose Stanley, a practice leader for WorldatWork. "It's not about the quantity or formality of programs offered; it's about how well supported and implemented the programs are across the organization."

After studying 12 flexibility programs, the survey found, on average, organizations offer six types of plans at once. Depending on the sector, the flexibility programs vary: Compressed workweeks are 68 percent more widespread in the public sector, part-time schedules are more common among nonprofit organizations by 90 percent, and ad hoc telework is offered by 89 percent of publicly traded companies. However, there was no correlation found between the amount of programs offered and turnover rates.

The most popular flexibility programs are flex time, part-time schedules with or without benefits, and teleworking on an ad hoc basis. Out of the surveyed companies, 80 percent of employers offered each of these programs to some or all employees, with flex time ranking as most used.

Still, there are obstacles to adopt flexibility programs, including lack of training; top management resistance and little employee interest.

Instant Insights /

Most U.S. employers offer workplace flexibility

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