Catherwood LibraryILR School

63% of employers already allow “some” employees to work from home periodically, an increase from 34% in 2005. Sociologist Phyllis Moen, who studies correlations between work, family, and health, found in her most recent study that managers who encouraged employees to be open about personal life priorities and supported them in managing their lives ended up with employees who were happier, healthier and less stressed than a control group of employees who were managed with the traditional “mother-may-I” approach to workplace flexibility. They also were less likely to leave their jobs than employees in the control group. Companies that successfully incorporate flexibility as an accepted norm are likely to communicate policies that are gender neutral and which encourage making life priorities “fit” into work lives, rather than forcing a “balance” that may be precarious.