Episode: 204

Episode Title: The Disconnect Around Flexible Work 

What makes flexible work flexible? It turns out employers and employees are defining it very differently. Stay tuned for more, coming up next on the Syndicate.

Ep 204 show:

Welcome to The Perna Syndicate! All week we’ve been talking about a recent study by MetLife that revealed some major fault lines between employers and employees. The topic of flexible work was one of the biggest divides. 81% of employers believe they offer a flexible work environment. But only 28% of employees feel the same.

That’s a huge disconnect—and it’s only going to get bigger as companies start bringing employees back into the office. Much of the workforce has been remote for over a year now. They’ve gotten used to a virtual workplace, and now all of that is going to change again. 

Interestingly, the research suggests that older employees may ultimately desire to return to the office when possible, while younger workers will want to continue to work from home or choose to work in a hybrid way that provides them with maximum flexibility in how, when and where they work.

In the end, it all comes down to flexibility in your context. Your company may or may not be able to offer remote or hybrid work for the long term—or maybe in your world, remote work was never an option. But you can still foster a people-first workplace. 

Find out how your employees define flexible work, and get creative about accommodating it. Employers who support their employees in this way can help them balance work and life—and show them that at this company, people really do come first.

Tomorrow, we’re wrapping up the week with some thoughts on how paid time off can benefit employees—and how to get them to take it. See you then!