The Workplace Flexibility Debate

Between Yahoo’s new policies and the debate stemming from Lean In, workplace flexibility is in the news a lot and, according to everyone from Catalyst to the New York Times, continues to be an important issue to women. Women were 1.5 times more likely to value flexible work arrangements (FWAs) than men, and 83% of women with access to FWAs aspired to the C-Suite level vs. 54% of women in companies without that access.

Flexible Work Arrangements

Research shows that in the next few years, 1.3 billion people will be working virtually worldwide, and workplace flexibility in companies large and small has become a norm rather than a luxury. This seems like a natural progression in a world where employees can now be reached by email at any time. A Catalyst report entitled The Great Debate: Flexibility vs. Face Time explains that women with high career aspirations are positioning themselves in companies with flexible work options. It sounds simple – companies who want to take advantage of their complete talent pool should be sure to offer workplace flexibility. However, Yahoo, BestBuy, Zappos and Bank of America recently scaled back their FWAs to significant attention. Issues of face time and “presenteeism” are constantly brought up, as was  a sense of insecurity that comes from not physically being in your office.

The Flexibility Stigma

A New York Times article states that informally, people who take advantage of flexible work options are penalized. This “flexibility stigma” affects both men and women but in different ways. Men are seen as less masculine and ineffectual breadwinners, while women are seen as less committed because of their maternal role. You can explore the study in the Journal of Social Issues entitled The Flexibility Stigma to learn more about it.

So the question is, can you still feel influential in the workplace if you give less face time? In a Harvard Business Review study, Amy Cuddy stated that the best way to gain influence is to show strength and warmth, and that evidence of trustworthiness is the first thing we look for in others. Others’ assessment of strength and warmth formed 90% of the variance in positive or negative impressions. Presenting and communicating with the right warmth-competence dynamic can be a challenge, and TQI was lucky to have guidance from corporate communications consultant Lee Zeidman at our June event in New York.

The Quorum Initiative’s June Events

The HBR study mentioned above covers so many of the topics that Lee Zeidman discussed at our June 26^th event in New York.  Lee did an amazing job coaching us on the importance of being a good communicator and being in command of our own message. One brave member volunteered to be filmed so that we could study the different ways to project a message. For example, when someone has a smile on their face, they make the decision to project warmth, but when they have an expressionless face, others decide their feelings for them, and the presenter loses some control. I am a true believer in the power of a smile (its my tool for projecting confidence). For New Yorkers that missed the session, Lee will join us in DC on Thursday, November 7^th and you are more than welcome to make the trip down!

TQI’s event in DC on June 25^th was at the British Embassy, with two panels of talented women discussing their strategies for effective networking.  I was inspired by how differently each panelist utilized networking. For example, Sharon Moshavi, Vice President, New Initiatives for International Center for Journalists, said her experience in journalism made her look at networking as a transactional experience, and she could not have done her job without utilizing her contacts.  Mitzi Emrich, Managing Director at FTI Consulting took a more personal approach and said she likes to network with people she would want to socialize with outside of work.  Like so many things in the workplace, networking is about finding what you are comfortable with.

The Quorum Initiative’s Upcoming Events

TQI’s upcoming events in DC will be on September 24^th and November 7^th. In DC on 9/24 Dana Theus, founder of InPower Consulting, will join us for a session on how to cultivate our thought leadership platform. On 11/7 Lee Zeidman, corporate communications consultant will make the trip down to DC to share his presentation tips and teach us how to maximize our message.

In New York, TQI’s events will be on September 25^th and November 6^th. On 9/25 Anne Groves, Consultant at Taylor Bennett, and Stephanie Schierholz, Social Media Manager at Raytheon Company, will discuss how we can creat our own brands to raise market profile, both digitally and traditionally.

Have a wonderful summer.  We look forward to seeing you in the fall!