Flexibility is Top Need

Yet another survey points out the importance of offering flexibility to workers. According to a recent survey by Hudson (a professional staffing firm), 29% of workers surveyed consider work-life balance and flexibility as the most important factor in deciding on a job. Second place goes to compensation at 23%. (See details here)

Unfortunately, most employers still think pay is the most important factor. What companies don't understand is that most people are willing to forgo a higher paycheck if they can have some control over their lives instead. And interestingly, offering flexibility is less costly than increasing employees' pay.

So what is it going to take to get companies to start offering more flexibility to employees? Surveys and other data such as this certainly can help employers see the benefits of flexibility. But often companies only see the need if they feel it directly. That is, company management will see the need for flexibility when they begin to receive multiple requests for flexibility.