Flexible Work Policies and Practices Flexible work arrangements are one of the most frequently used ways for companies to redefine their relationships with employees and address work-life conflicts. Sterling Information Group encourages employees to develop schedules consist with theirlifestyle. Purdue Poultry permits self-scheduling by employees working on the production line. Life Cycle Benefits and Programs Policies and benefits increasingly reflect the fact that demands on employees differ and change with age and with changes in family status. For example, caring for children gives way in time to caring for elders as the lifecycle of families unfolds.
Retention is important because of the high cost of replacing employees who leave.
The values, attitudes and experience of senior executives can be a major barrier to change Too often senior executives fail to recognize the need for flexibility because they do not see the need for it in their own personal lives. The Ford study proved the opposite. Policies existed on paper, but weren't used. The men were afraid they would look like wimps. As a result the Xerox manager acted promptly to change the culture -but recognized that cultural change would be difficult.