Flexible Work Arrangements: Ask Catalyst Express

May 24, 2023

Many organizations have realized that providing flexible work arrangements for their employees is critical to their ability to maximize their talent pool and become employers of choice. Flexibility can increase retention, boost career aspirations and productivity, and decrease absenteeism. Although flexible work arrangements are not a new topic in the field of diversity, equity, and inclusion, they came to the forefront again during Covid-19. (See also Ask Catalyst Express: Inclusive Hybrid Workplaces.) Many organizations and managers are shifting from accommodations for some employees to having flexibility as a cultural norm, and a vital part of building an inclusive organization.

Flexible work arrangements are part of “work-life effectiveness,” a talent-management strategy that promotes work environments capable of responding to changes in business needs quickly, creatively, and efficiently while providing employees the control they need to work smarter, address their non-work priorities, and be resilient and effective. A work-life effectiveness approach fosters strong performances by both individuals and organizations over the long term.

Catalyst Resources

Infographic

10 Models of Workplace Flexibility
Models and best practices for building a remote-first and flextime-first work culture.

Reports

Remote-Work Options Can Boost Productivity and Curb Burnout
Remote work is here to stay. Catalyst research demonstrates that remote work can increase productivity and decrease burnout.
The Great Work/Life Divide in Canada
Catalyst-CNBC survey finds unfulfilled desire for flexible and/or remote work during the pandemic.
The Great Work/Life Divide in the United States
How employee desire for flexibility and concern from companies is driving the future of work.

Online Learning

Knowledge Burst: Beyond Remote – Flexibility is Key Supporter Exclusive
Knowledge Burst: Leading Your Hybrid Team Inclusively Supporter Exclusive
Knowledge Burst: Running More Inclusive Meetings Supporter Exclusive

Practices

UPMC: Care and Culture Starts and Ends With People: Executive Workforce Demographics Supporter Exclusive
Flexible work offerings are important in attracting a greater number of applicants across job scope and function. Depending on their roles and department practices, employees can now work remotely, choose and alter their start or end times for shifts, or use compressed workweeks (e.g., a four-day week or weekends only, which is popular among nurses).
Boston Scientific: Accelerating Progress for Women by Creating Equal Opportunities for Growth Supporter Exclusive
The company established its Workflex policy to provide employees with more options for the ways they can get their work done. The policy allows them to work at a reduced schedule, work flexible hours, participate in a job share with another part-time employee, and work onsite, hybrid, or remotely. All employees have access to at least some aspects of Workflex (e.g., a lab scientist might not be able to work remotely, but they can work flexibly), and the program may be used regardless of reason.
How We Lead With Inclusion Through Crisis: Covid-19 Response Stories From Catalyst Supporters Supporter Exclusive
Eight Catalyst Supporters—Bell Canada, Chevron, Deloitte Australia, ExxonMobil, EY, Pitney Bowes, Royal DSM, and Unilever—shared their stories of how they’re reimagining the future of work, leading with inclusion through crisis, tackling inequities, connecting with empathy, developing trust on teams, and working remotely and flexibly to successfully navigate these unprecedented times.
Deloitte: Inspiring Women Supporter Exclusive
Deloitte Flex Policies—Different types of flex policies provide employees with a common language to help articulate their needs and request support from their managers and colleagues. Includes:
- Travel Flex: Employees may turn down travel on a short-term basis without career penalty.
- School Flex: Employees can purchase additional annual leave to utilize during school holidays.
- Micro Flex: Employees may take short breaks for appointments such as the dentist, meetings at school, etc. They are encouraged to indicate these in a shared calendar and make reasons visible, so flexible working becomes the norm.
- Hours Flex: Employees may work part-time and still continue to advance in their careers.

Tools

Enhancing Inclusive Employee Experiences: Scenario Planning for the Future of Work Supporter Exclusive 
Catalyst analyzed four different scenarios of the future of work to better understand shifts related to Covid-19 and illustrate examples of policies and practices to move your organization toward a more inclusive and equitable post-pandemic workplace, including Flexible and Remote Work to Build Inclusive Teams.