Firms Face Increasing Pressure to Offer Flexible Working Arrangements
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Source: Accounting Office Management & Administration Report Ten major Canadian law firms sponsored a study conducted by Catalyst on work/life balance issues. The following results are relevant to CPA firms: v When deciding to work at another firm, one of the most important considerations is the firm’s support of family and personal factors that affect the work schedule. v The above was more important to the majority of men and women than factors such as compensation or intellectually challenging work. v A majority of men and women said that fewer working hours was important when deciding about working at another firm. v Associates stayed longer at firms when they believed the firm had a favorable work/life culture. Although CPA firms have generally been more supportive than law firms of work/life balance issues, they can still try to be more flexible. Staff is appreciative of the firm’s efforts to be more accommodating, so those efforts should be communicated to staff. From Accounting Office Management & Administration Report, July 2005, p. 2. For subscription information contact Institute of Management & Administration, Inc., 3 Park Avenue, 30th Floor, New York NY 10016-5902. One-year subscription $329. |