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1. Flexible
Resources: 20% of Women Seeking Flexibility are Childless
GREENWICH, CT
January 30, 2002
Despite the belief that the onset of parenthood is the driving
force behind women’s quest for flexible work arrangements,
20 percent of those seeking flexibility are childless.
The statistic was part of extensive research conducted in 2001
by Flexible Resources®, Inc., the nation’s leading consulting
and staffing firm specializing in creating flexible work arrangements
at the professional level.
“The perception is that only women with children want flexible
work, but in fact we are seeing more women – and increasingly
men – who value control over their lives as much or more
than compensation,” said Nadine Mockler, president of Flexible
Resources.
“We conducted our most recent surveys prior to Sept. 11.
Since then, the percentage of childless candidates has increased,
as more and more people are putting their priorities in order
and are unwilling to ‘wait until they have kids’ to
attain a balance between work and their personal lives,”
said Mockler.
Another statistic that runs counter to conventional wisdom –
59 percent of the candidates who came to Flexible Resources, Inc.® seeking a flexible position had not asked their current employer
if a flexible job could be arranged. Gen-Xers are more aggressive
in their quest for flexibility – 53 percent of those 25-35
years of age requested a flexible position vs. just 38 percent
of Baby Boomers. Those who are refused often begin their job searches
shortly thereafter.
What does this mean for businesses? That flexible staffing has
bottom-line implications for business and is key to attracting
and retaining today’s top young talent. “Businesses
need to make their flexible work options clear and available to
all employees. They are not the purview of moms anymore,”
said Mockler. “Most employers have no idea they lost a valued
employee because of an unfulfilled desire for flexibility.”
Every two years Flexible Resources, Inc.® conducts surveys with
three key groups: flexible job-seekers; professionals in flexible
positions, and the managers who employ them. Flexible Resources,
Inc.® is located in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Boston and
Chicago. Complete survey data including tables is available from
Flexible Resources, Inc.® For more information visit www.flexibleresources.com
MEDIA CONTACT: Joyce G. Fredo 203-968-0786
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2. Many
Women in Flexible Jobs are Family Breadwinners
December 12, 2001
Twenty-seven percent of women working as professionals
in flexible, part-time jobs are family breadwinners, meaning they
make more than 50 percent of their household income. Another 26
percent are earning equal to their spouses.
Together these groups account for 53 percent of women working
in flexible professional jobs who responded to a recent survey
conducted by Flexible Resources®, Inc., a staffing and consulting
firm in Chicago, New York, Boston, Connecticut and New Jersey,
specializing in creating flexible work arrangements at the professional
level. Those in the “breadwinner” group earn an average
personal income of $85,000. In general, all women in the survey
reported an average personal income of $62,000, up from $48,000
when we first surveyed this group three years ago.
More than 200 women working in flexible jobs at all types of companies,
from small start-ups to the Fortune 500, responded to our survey.
These statistics demonstrate that flexibility is not a passing
phase to deal with child care, but a long-term, effective lifestyle
choice.
For many women, flexible jobs are long-term, serious career choices
that enable them to function most effectively at both home and
work. These flexible positions are key to their families support
system, both financially and emotionally. Many women working in
part-time jobs are not merely “keeping busy” or mommy-tracking
themselves until their kids are in school.
Another telling statistic about the changing nature of flexible
work arrangements: 56 percent of women in flexible professional
positions say they have no intention of returning to a conventional
9-to-5 work schedule.
“These statistics demonstrate that many women working part-time
at the professional level take their careers seriously, but now
have a greater understanding of how making the choice for flexibility
has impacted every aspect of their lives,” says Katie Turner
of Flexible Resources® in Lincolnshire, IL. Contact: Joyce Fredo:
203-968-0786 or Ms. Turner at 847-478-9556.
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