Survey shows flexible work arrangements high on HR to-do list

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A survey of more than 2,700 hiring managers and human resources (HR) professionals has shown that flexible work arrangements is no.4 on their list of priorities in 2010.Â As ever with one of these surveys you have to wonder how much of it is a nod to a company’s public relations but it does seem, from the list below, that business is getting a bit leaner and more focused post recession with a trimming of perks and a view to hiring freelancers.

The following is a list of the top methods that employers will use to preserve the health and growth of their businesses:

1. Replace Under-Performing Employees: Taking advantage of the large number of talented jobseekers currently looking for work, more than one-in-three (37 percent) employers plan to replace under-performing employees in 2010.

2. Use Social Media: Almost four-in-ten employers (37 percent) plan to emphasize social media in 2010, and one-in-five will add social media responsibilities to current employees.

3. Rehire Laid-off Workers: Among companies with lay-offs in 2009, almost one-third (32 percent) of those employers plan to bring back workers in 2010.

4. Provide Flexible Work Arrangements: More than one-in-three (35 percent) employers plan to provide more flexible work arrangements in 2010, including: alternate schedules (73 percent); telecommuting (41 percent); and compressed workweeks (32 percent).

5. Trim Perks and Benefits: Perks and benefits will be cut by 37 percent of employers in 2010, including: bonuses; medical coverage; and suspended 401k matching.

6. Rehire Retirees & Postpone Retirement: Over one-in-four employers (27 percent) will consider retaining workers approaching retirement in 2010, while nearly one-in-three (30 percent) have workers expressing interest in postponing retirement.

7. Hire Freelance & Contract Workers: Three-in-ten employers anticipate hiring freelancers or contractors in 2010.

8. Add Green Jobs: More than one-in-ten (11 percent) of employers plan to add â€œgreen jobsâ€ in 2010 to improve conservation and sustainability.

9. Recruit Bilingual Workers: Nearly four-in-ten employers (39 percent) will hire bilingual candidates in 2010 and half will hire the bilingual candidate of two otherwise equally qualified candidates.

10. Reduce Business Travel: Over one-in-four employers (43 percent) plan to have less business travel in 2010 than in 2009.

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