As everyone can attest, the COVID-19 pandemic turned the world upside down. Many of those changes were unpleasant, but a few good things came out of that awful period.
For example, millions of people now can choose from a range of alternative work arrangements that were not commonly offered prior to the pandemic.
Recently, Transamerica released its 23rd annual retirement survey of more than 5,700 adults. As part of its research, Transamerica asked workers to reveal what types of alternative work arrangements their current employer offers.
Following are the most common alternative work arrangements, and the percentage of companies that offer them.
1. Flexible work schedules
Employers that offer this type of work arrangement to their employees: 58%
Recently, companies have been pushing back on employees who want to work from home. These businesses insist that workers are more productive when they collaborate in a face-to-face environment.
On the other hand, flexible work schedules appear to be here to stay. Nearly two-thirds of companies allow workers the breathing room to decide when they will arrive at work, and when they will leave.
2. Ability to adjust work hours as needed
Employers that offer this type of work arrangement to their employees: 51%
Some workers may occasionally need to shift their schedule around to meet the needs of their family, or for other personal reasons. About half of companies are happy to meet these workers halfway.
3. Hybrid work arrangements
Employers that offer this type of work arrangement to their employees: 44%
As more companies insist that workers return to the office, some seem willing to offer an olive branch: a hybrid work schedule that allows employees to split their working time between the office and home.
If this compromise is not good enough for you — and you instead prefer to work from home all the time — check out the “25 Companies Switching to Permanent Remote Work-From-Home Jobs.”
Other common alternative work arrangements
Following are some of the other key alternative work arrangements that employers are offering:
- Ability to take unpaid leave of absence: 43%
- Ability to work somewhere on-site: 38%
- Ability to exclusively work remotely: 36%
- Ability to switch from full time to part time, and vice versa: 35%
- Opportunity to take a sabbatical: 25%
