About 47 percent of organizations with employees possessing disabilities have implemented flexible work programs targeting these workers, according to a new survey.
Research by the Society for Human Resource Management suggests that almost two-thirds of employers have workers who qualify under the Americans with Disabilities Act. Qualified employees may be offered flexible arrangements including reduced work hours and traditional flextime, available to about 60 percent. Options to telecommute were created by about 55 percent of employers, while approximately 47 percent had tailored break arrangements.
In comparison, 87 percent of businesses reported employing veterans and 10 percent offer flexible work arrangements meant to meet the needs of this specific group. About two-thirds of employers offer veteran workers shift flexibility, while 55 percent offered last-minute flexibility. Approximately 52 percent had traditional flextime for veterans, and the same portion implemented telecommuting options, SHRM reports.
Researchers also determined that more than three-quarters of employers have low-wage hourly workers on staff, and 25 percent of those firms have flexible work arrangements targeting this group. More than 70 percent offered reduced hours, while about 60 percent offered traditional flextime and shift flexibility. More than half had break arrangements of caregiving leave meant to aid these employees.
Firms offering these options were concerned about HR compliance, equality of offerings, maintaining overall productivity and the possibility that co-workers would become resentful, among other concerns.
