flexible work options

iwin's research on flexible work options focuses on the meaning, operationalization and implementation of workplace flexibility. iwin also studies how workplace flexibility contributes to positive outcomes for employers and employees among a modern, diverse workforce.

recent projects :
quality jobs: flexibility for working families
making workplaces work: best practices
flexibility for hourly low-wage workers
workplace structure & hourly low‐wage workers

quality jobs in the new millennium: incorporating flexible work options as a strategy to assist working families

Principal Investigator: Jennifer Swanberg, Ph.D.
Co-Principal Investigator: Leigh Ann Simmons, Ph.D., University of Kentucky

This study seeks to explore the model of job quality in relation to the employees’ self perceived physical health status. The article concludes that when demographic and other job quality variables are controlled, flexible work options, coworker support, and employment insecurity are major predictors of the employees’ self‐reported health status.

This project was supported with a grant from the University of Kentucky Center for Poverty Research through the Department of Health and Human Service, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation. For more information, please contact Dr. Jennifer Swanberg

making workplaces work: employer best practices in kentucky

Jennifer E. Swanberg, Ph.D.
Diane N. Loeffler, Ph.D.
Mac Werner, MSW

link to press release
link to summary of report
link to full report

workplace flexibility for hourly lower-wage employees: a strategic business practice within one national retail firm

Principal Investigator: Jennifer Swanberg, Ph.D.
Co-Principal Investigator: Jacqueline James, Ph.D., Boston College

Using analysis and qualitative interview, this study looks at the flexibility in work options offered to lower‐wage hourly positions. The positive and negative consequences the business encounters in offering flexible work options are also explored.

This project was funded by the Ford Foundation and the Center on Aging & Work /Workplace Flexibility at Boston College. For more information about this project, please contact Dr. Jennifer Swanberg.

on the horizon:
workplace structure and its impact on hourly workers and their families

Many professional workers take for granted the ability to alter their schedule when they are sick; or to care for a sick child, but a large part of the labor force (low-wage, hourly workers) don't have sick leave or vacation days and don't have flexible practices that allow for predictable or as-needed schedule modifications. iwin is currently working on a review of the literature on low wage, hourly workers, and their access to flexible work options. After establishing a definition for what consistutes both low wage hourly work, and what constitutes flexibility, we will analyze the 2002 National Study of the Changing Workforce to assess what flexible work options are available to low-wage hourly workers.