From fitness classes to free tuition, perks keep employees happy, productive.

What if you could take a kickboxing class at work during your lunch hour? Or enjoy a 15-minute massage on your break? What if you could pursue an advanced degree and have your employer pay for it? Or work from home two days a week?

Companies such as Inland Northwest Health Services, People to People Ambassador Programs and Telect offer these perks and more. These companies have embraced the concept of a flexible workplace.

• 67% of employed parents say they don’t have enough time with their children.
• 63% of married employees say they don’t have enough time with their spouses.
• 55% of all employees say they don’t have enough time for themselves.

That’s why, in addition to compressed time schedules and telecommuting options, People to People Ambassador Programs offers several on-site fitness classes. Marnae Litke, vice president of human resources, says, “We are passionate about what we do. It can be a pretty intense work environment. We encourage a work-life balance.”

Providing options helps workers maintain that balance. For example, the organization offers an after-work Weight Watchers class and quarterly oil changes for employees’ cars in the company parking lot.

Employee Danielle Stoddard takes advantage of the opportunity to telecommute. She works four 10-hour days, but she works from home one day a week.
“It’s absolutely fantastic,” she says. “I recently had a daughter, and now I get one more day with her a week.” She says on the day she works from home, she’s also able to get larger projects done without the interruptions of phone calls or meetings.

Phyllis Gabel, chief human resource officer for INHS, says the company works with employees to find the shifts that best suit their needs. Some employees may carpool and need to start later in the day, or some want to come in earlier because they function better in the morning.

Employees aren’t the only ones who benefit from workplace flexibility. Gabel says employers benefit, as well.

“It makes employees more productive and keeps them engaged because they feel valued and listened to,” she says.

INHS is wrapping up a series of focus groups of employees in which they were asked, “What attracted you to INHS, and what keeps you here?” Gabel says the overwhelming response was the flexible work environment the company offers.

At Telect in Liberty Lake, Jason Pegg, marketing and online business director, says flexibility is part of the corporate culture.

“Part of flexibility is recognizing when someone is putting in too much time at work,” he says. “Telect is really good at recognizing that and being proactive and intentional.”

The business also often pays for tuition and books for employees who want to further their education.

“The idea of a more educated work force is that you’re going to have better employees,” he says.

Pegg says the hiring process can be daunting and expensive, so it makes sense to listen to the needs of current employees.

“Treat them well, and they’ll stick around,” he says.

Amy Johnson, vice president of workforce development at Greater Spokane Inc., says their organization promotes workplace flexibility because “it’s a smart way for employers to attract and retain loyal workers.” She adds, “For every two employees leaving the work force, only one enters. The companies who help employees balance work life and home life are the ones who’ll continue to see gains in productivity and customer satisfaction.”

Marnae Litke at People to People concurs. She says since her company incorporated flexible workplace strategies, the results have been measured in more effective workers and more long-term employees.

People to People’s Stoddard is a good example.

“I’m very appreciative of the opportunity,” Stoddard says. “I’m very committed, and I love what I do. I feel lucky.”

For more information visit www.familiesandwork.org

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