Amidst the ongoing dour unemployment news, there is a twinkle of a light that’s poised to become very bright. The tight economy that has caused many companies to cut back presents a unique opportunity for workers who want flexible work arrangements (FWAs). After all, there is still work to be done, but it may not be in the form of a 40-hour work week at a business.
It’s a Win for Workers….
Many women have for years wanted flexible work hours, part-time professional work, job sharing and the like. It’s long been a reality in some industries, such as healthcare, and moving forward this trend is sure to continue. Now, by mastering new technologies – namely the myriad of Internet-based work tools – and being creative in how they share their skills, many other professionals can easily work from almost anyplace, day or night. Just a few years ago, that was impossible! So if your dreams of job security working for a stable company have been derailed, you can still earn a living using your professional skills and just maybe have a better fit for your lifestyle.
…And a Win for Employers!
Research shows that employers who embrace this and allow employees to work flexible schedules often end up with happier, more committed employees, and increased productivity. Functions can be streamlined, overhead costs reduced and many other benefits may result for employers who offer employees flexibility. It’s a win-win situation.
Even President Obama and the government support flexible work opportunities; this website provides ideas and resources for companies interested in going this route. That’s because empowering workers helps put people back on the job, which positively affects local and national economies. It’s possible that FWAs can help close the gender wage gap; at least it’s part of the conversation (click here for more resources on FWAs).
The convergence of technology and a bad economy may spur the dramatic increase of flexible work opportunities that many have been waiting for.
We’d like to hear about your experiences….what new opportunities have you, a friend or colleague found by working in a non-traditional work arrangement?
