Men Seek Workplace Flexibility As Much As Women Do

Balance between life and work . Photo courtesy: www.iwf.org

Men use the flexi option as much as women these days. Over 50 per cent of organisations polled in a TimesJobs.com survey said the frequency of usage of flexibility options is equal among male and female employees in their organization.

About 45 per cent of organisations said that men are largely using this option for child/family care, while 31 per cent said they use it to study/upskill themselves. However, over 80 per cent women use the flexi option for child care and a mere 20 per cent use it to train/upskill themselves.

Changing lifestyle key reason for this trend

Changing socio-cultural dynamics and increasing trend of nuclear families, has been pointed out as the primary reason behind the growing usage of flexibility option by men, said nearly 66 per cent of the organisations.

As opposed to the popular consensus that women, especially working mothers, use flexibility much often, the TimesJobs.com study showed that men too are increasingly opting for flexible work options. In a poll conducted by TimesJobs.com, over 62 per cent of the men stated that flexibility is indeed an important factor for them in a job.

About 60 per cent of the organisations stated to have a formal policy on workplace flexibility, which can be availed by both male and female employees.

Men use flexitime the most

According to 40 per cent of the surveyed organisations, part-time schedules (with or without benefits) and flexitime (flexible start/stop times) are the most used flexibility options by the employees. Of these, men mostly opt for flexitime, said 55 per cent of the organisations in the TimesJobs.com study, followed by work from home.

About 90 per cent organisations offer not more than three types of flexibility programs to its employees, at a time. Part-time schedules and flexi-time are the most widely offered flexible work arrangements across sectors. Close to 40 per cent organisations offer these programs to its employees. A combination of programs tailored to fit employee’s needs is offered by 16 per cent of the organisations.

Future is flexible

According to the TimesJobs.com study, close to 60 per cent of the organisations are likely to implement more flexibility options, in the near future.

Experts added that being flexible creates an environment where employers and employees can look at work and personal needs in a balanced approach, which is mutually beneficial.

According to Meher Sarid, president, Corporate Affairs, Oxigen Services (India) Pvt Ltd, “There has been a spurt in the number of women professionals in the corporate world, of late. Men have now learnt to appreciate their presence and acknowledge them as equally contributing work partners. Same is the case on the home front, where men have developed an accommodating attitude and are being participative in daily chores.” This has led corporates to become accommodative and take steps to offer flexible work hours, some offices even build their own crèches, so that men/women can work comfortably, she added.