A survey by the Society for Human Resource Management found decreases in the number of companies offering family-friendly programs such as telecommuting, flexible schedules, and job sharing. There are several reasons for the cutback in benefits. While the unemployment rate remains high, companies are finding that they do not need to offer such generous benefits in order to attract workers. Some employers have also found that programs such as telecommuting compromise job performance and productivity. Finally, many companies are dropping non-essential benefits as a way to cut costs.
See "More companies downsize family-friendly programs", Stephanie Armour, USA Today, October 19, 2003