Most Of Fortune's "Best Companies" Offer Telecommuting
4 out of 5 Allow Employees to Telecommute
According to Fortune Magazine, America's 100 Best Companies to Work For have pushed their employee-pleasing ways further than, blazing a trail for all organizations wanting to thrive in today's economic world.
According to Fortune Magazine's 2006 ranking of the 100 Best Companies to Work For, 79 of the 100 companies allow employees to telecommute at least 20 percent of their time. This adds up to more than a 335 percent increase since 1999, when only 18 companies on the list supported telecommuting.
Other programs promoting work-life balance also showed significant gains in popularity. Eighty-one of the companies on the list now offer compressed workweeks, such as four ten-hour days with Friday off. In 1999, only 25 companies accommodated compressed workweeks. Flexible schedules and sabbaticals also have a significant presence on the list.
According to Fortune Magazine, powerful as those factors are, they aren't the only elements in a great place to work. Two that remain consistently on the list are trust and recognition. Employees treasure the freedom to do their job as they think best, and great employers trust them.
Moreover, these firms are all highly successful. The average American business lasts less than 20 years before it fails or is bought. The 100 Best Companies to Work For, on average, are 85 years old. The bottom line is, being a great place to work pays.
In ranking the 100 Best Companies to Work For, Fortune Magazine relied on two components: their evaluation of the policies and culture of each company and the opinions of the company's own employees.