Using flexible schedules in the managerial world: The power of peers

TLDR

Reports show that managers often underutilize flexible schedules, and leading peers can drive cultural change to reduce social barriers. A survey of about 1,000 managers assessed three schedule options—flextime, part‑time work, and leave of absence. Women and managers with schedule‑using peers were more likely to adopt flexible schedules, but productivity concerns were greatest for flextime, then leaves, and least for part‑time work. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Abstract

Reports indicate that managers fail to take advantage of flexible work schedules to integrate work and life demands. A survey was conducted of approximately 1,000 managers who had three alternative schedule options: flextime, part-time work, and leave of absence. Managers who were women or who had work group peers who were schedule users were more likely to use each schedule. Managers' productivity concerns were highest for flextime, then leaves, and least for part-time work. Organizational cultural change can occur if managers take the lead in their work groups to use flexible schedules in order to remove social barriers. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.