At his own firm, "it doesn't matter to me when or where the work gets done, as long as it gets done," Oakes said.
Moreover, Oakes is well aware that staffers often sacrifice their personal time when the job demands it, working late into the night or on weekends. "I don't think you have license to expect flexibility from your employees unless you're willing to give it," he said.
Some owners are concerned that helping staffers continue their education will only lead to the employees' quitting to take other jobs once their schooling is done. Oakes is willing to take the chance on his most valued workers.
"Is it somebody that you think is going to stay with you for a long time? I'd bend over backwards," he said.
Many company owners have a harder time with an employee who wants flex time to do other work — although in the current economy, it wouldn't be surprising for more workers to try to get second jobs because of strained household budgets. But many owners believe flex time will in the end only strengthen a company.
Rabinowitz, co-owner of Rabinowitz-Dorf, a Washington D.C.-based PR firm, and his partner Matt Dorf routinely give staffers time not only to pursue their education but to do outside pro bono work. Rabinowitz, who is himself a part-time instructor at Johns Hopkins University, believes that giving employees time for other activities creates a better work atmosphere.
"A good workplace environment begets good work," he said, and explained further that the company's policy "makes us very attractive to prospective employees."
Rabinowitz said staffers' tenures with his firm tend to be very short because of the nature of the PR business in the nation's capital. And the experience they gather in their pro bono work can also lead them to other positions. But, rather than try to stop them, he encourages them, knowing they will remain part of his network and that he'll get business opportunities from them in the future.
So, he says of being flexible, "it's also smart business practice, because you get back what you give."
http://www.mywire.com/pubs/AP/2008/07/09/6892685?page=2
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