The Workplace Culture and Flexible Work Arrangements Study
Jacquelyn James and Jennifer Swanberg

The Workplace Culture and Flexible Work Arrangements Study documented relationships between workplace culture and the employment experiences of older workers.

Key Research Questions:

How do older employees who work have access to workplace flexibility options compare to other older employers, in terms of employees' health, well-being, and family-related outcomes?

What strategies are most successful in making workplace flexibility both usable and beneficial?

What outcomes are associated with older workers' use of five primary flexible work options: 1) schedule swapping; 2) flexible work schedules; 3) split shifts; 4) part-time work; and 5) "flex-place"?

Study Status:

Data collection completed. Analysis to be completed in Winter 2007.

Selected Findings:

774 older workers (55+) in Citisales completed the study survey; 47% work a 5-day week evenly split between working the same days each week (40%) or different days each week (43%).

The majority of older workers are satisfied with the Citisales' scheduling practices: 51% have a lot of input into their schedule if they want to; 82% could change quickly if a family matter arose.

Older workers reported better health, less emotional distress, better life satisfaction and higher employee engagement overall than did younger workers.

Publications:

An issue brief about the employment experiences of hourly and salaried workers will be available Spring 2007. The Summary Report of the Workplace Culture and Flexible Work Arrangements Study will be available in Spring 2007.