It is no longer just a popular trend among progressive employers, a new study presents empirical evidence suggesting that allowing flexible work schedules, and permitting employees to work from home occasionally can actually boost productivity.

Researchers from Brigham Young University reviewed data from a set of 24,436 IBM employees working in 75 countries.  The study sought to identify the work hour inflection point at which 25% of employees reported that work “interfered” with their personal and family lives. Most subjects held exempt positions with IBM.

The study found that for people working in offices on a regular schedule, the inflection point was at 38 hours per week.  In other words, people began thinking about and focusing on their families, resulting in productivity taking a nosedive at about the 38 hour mark (in an expected work week of at least a 40 hours). 

When a flexible schedule was offered and employees could work from home weekly, they reported that they were able to work 57 hours in the work week before reporting a “conflict” with family issues.

The study’s lead author, E. Jeffery Hill, a Professor in the University’s School of Family Life, pointed out that not all the 57 hours were telecommuting and that participants reported increased productivity with a combination of office hours and the flexibility to work at home (at times selected by the worker.)

The study concluded that telecommuting worked as a benefit for reducing the work/family life conflict when it was accompanied by flexible work times, giving the employee the ability to fit in work between family obligations.

IBM was selected for the study since it has made a significant commitment to telecommuting and reports having saved millions in the cost of office space since 1990.  Hill reported that many managers were reluctant to permit employees flexible schedules in the beginning, but these types of work schedules have become much more commonplace, particularly in the down economy. 

Our clients that permit telecommuting, remote access and flexible schedules report (anecdotally) greater employee engagement, satisfaction, as well as productivity. 

This study was reported in the June 2010 issue of The Journal Family Psychology.  Hill and his group of researchers also noted in the article that “family dinner time” benefits both parents and kids by recharging working parents as well as the overall improvement of kids and family. 

Significance

There is much more work still to be done on the harmonization of work life and family life.  Many employers, seeking to attract and retain the best and brightest employees have implemented flex time, particularly on both coasts and centers of commerce.  Our non-scientific poll of our clients suggests that efforts to balance work life issues usually pay back employers in terms of increased loyalty, productivity and commitment by workers.