As the economy continues to inch toward recovery, more employers are targeting
flexible work schedules, telecommuting, and job sharing for reductions, USA
Today reports.
It is the first time in years that employers have eyed these benefits, which
many consider family friendly, for possible cuts, according to the newspaper.
The newspaper cites a survey from the Society for Human Resource Management
that found fewer companies offering benefits like telecommuting, flexible schedules,
and adoption assistance.
USA Today spoke with 20 employers and benefits experts to find possible reasons
behind the cuts. They say that because the jobless economic recovery means that
more workers are competing for the same positions, the benefits are no longer
needed to attract and retain workers.
Employers and benefits experts also tell the newspaper that rising healthcare
costs are to blame for some of the reductions. Many companies are trying to
offset the increases in healthcare costs with reductions in what they view as nonessential benefits,
according to the newspaper.
