(From PRWEB) -- A 2008 study by Hudson Highland Group Inc. of more than 1,500 U.S. workers reported that nearly a third considered work-life balance and flexibility to be the most important factor in considering job offers. In addition, the U.S. President's Study of American Work-Life Balance (March 2010) states that work-life balance programs "can reduce turnover and improve recruitment, increasing the productivity of an employer's workforce. These practices are also associated with improved employee health and decreased absenteeism, a major cost for employers."

Work-life balance programs, through applications such as flexible work arrangements, employee wellness programs, telecommuting and job-sharing, can help employees feel truly connected to their companies, fostering loyalty, mutual respect and a positive work environment. Particularly since the onset of the recent recession, many employees who have been downsized have been inspired to reconnect with their family and personal interests and are actively seeking a new career conducive to work-life balance.

"Flexible work programs have become business imperatives," says Cynthia Thomas Calvert, co-founder and senior advisor, Project for Attorney Retention. "The changing demographics of the workforce mean the workplace has no choice but to change as well. Employers that support innovative scheduling, with no stigma attached to its use, have a clear edge in recruiting, retention, productivity, and customer service - in short, they win."

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