Comments on: What is a worklife benefit? http://www.careerlifeconnection.com/blog/2009/07/23/what-is-a-worklife-benefit/ The quest for flexibility in a rigid world Thu, 29 Jul 2010 02:28:53 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 By: Matt Grawitch http://www.careerlifeconnection.com/blog/2009/07/23/what-is-a-worklife-benefit/#comment-719 Matt Grawitch Thu, 30 Jul 2009 02:47:39 +0000 http://www.careerlifeconnection.com/blog/?p=681#comment-719 Great posting and great question for the week! Just as an FYI, our own research (hopefully soon to make it out in Journal of Occupational Health Psychology) actually distinguishes between work flexibility practices (e.g., flextime, telecommuting) and non-work support practices (e.g., vacation time, life management services). Non-work support practices are specifically designed as a benefit in which organizational resources (typically financial resources) are leveraged for the benefit of an employee's non-work demands, without any direct benefit to the organization. Concierge services would fall into that category. It allows people to use company resources to meet non-work demands without a direct benefit for the company. The expectation is that there will be some indirect benefit to the company (i.e., greater loyalty, commitment, maybe working longer hours). Data from a working adult population would suggest these two categories of practices are meaningful. Great posting and great question for the week! Just as an FYI, our own research (hopefully soon to make it out in Journal of Occupational Health Psychology) actually distinguishes between work flexibility practices (e.g., flextime, telecommuting) and non-work support practices (e.g., vacation time, life management services). Non-work support practices are specifically designed as a benefit in which organizational resources (typically financial resources) are leveraged for the benefit of an employee’s non-work demands, without any direct benefit to the organization. Concierge services would fall into that category. It allows people to use company resources to meet non-work demands without a direct benefit for the company. The expectation is that there will be some indirect benefit to the company (i.e., greater loyalty, commitment, maybe working longer hours). Data from a working adult population would suggest these two categories of practices are meaningful.

]]> By: Chrysula Winegar http://www.careerlifeconnection.com/blog/2009/07/23/what-is-a-worklife-benefit/#comment-656 Chrysula Winegar Fri, 24 Jul 2009 19:17:56 +0000 http://www.careerlifeconnection.com/blog/?p=681#comment-656 The concierge approach has it's roots in keeping people in the building. I think of Bloomberg HQ in NYC where there is everything your heart could possibly desire - free food, beverage, open interior space, great art. And then miles and miles of open desks. Insane hours, hard culture, especially for women as recent lawsuits demonstrate. True flex is about choices. Not psychological "hazing" and pressure to show face-time. The concierge approach has it’s roots in keeping people in the building. I think of Bloomberg HQ in NYC where there is everything your heart could possibly desire – free food, beverage, open interior space, great art. And then miles and miles of open desks. Insane hours, hard culture, especially for women as recent lawsuits demonstrate. True flex is about choices. Not psychological “hazing” and pressure to show face-time.

]]> By: Michelle McManus http://www.careerlifeconnection.com/blog/2009/07/23/what-is-a-worklife-benefit/#comment-647 Michelle McManus Thu, 23 Jul 2009 19:45:47 +0000 http://www.careerlifeconnection.com/blog/?p=681#comment-647 Many industries require employees to work long hours during peak periods. What my company does (similar to the one supporting Sodexo, I assume) is provide a way to help balance the demands on an employee's time. If an employee is stressed, they tend to miss work, and everyone loses. Since concierge programs usually create a high (sometimes 100%) ROI, it makes sense to offer one! Many industries require employees to work long hours during peak periods. What my company does (similar to the one supporting Sodexo, I assume) is provide a way to help balance the demands on an employee’s time. If an employee is stressed, they tend to miss work, and everyone loses. Since concierge programs usually create a high (sometimes 100%) ROI, it makes sense to offer one!

]]> By: admin http://www.careerlifeconnection.com/blog/2009/07/23/what-is-a-worklife-benefit/#comment-646 admin Thu, 23 Jul 2009 16:40:10 +0000 http://www.careerlifeconnection.com/blog/?p=681#comment-646 From Twitter: ErikaWendt: Agree @leanneclc! Personal concierge "benefit" suggests that I will spend so much time at work, there will be no time for anything else. chrysula: @leanneclc totally agree #worklife improvement about choices and flex, not HR telling what to eat & when to go to gym. Already have a Mom! From Twitter:

ErikaWendt: Agree @leanneclc! Personal concierge “benefit” suggests that I will spend so much time at work, there will be no time for anything else.

chrysula: @leanneclc totally agree #worklife improvement about choices and flex, not HR telling what to eat & when to go to gym. Already have a Mom!

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