To keep up with the rapidly changing modern workplace, many companies are experimenting with flexible work schedules. Companies big and small are creating structures to allow parents more time to spend with their kids, to give workers the freedom to work from home, and in rare cases, letting workers set their own hours entirely. While not all companies have figured it out, those companies that have succeeded are able to attract and retain a more diverse candidate pool.
Here are 10 companies that have adopted remote work, innovative scheduling and other policies that encourage flexibility.
American Express
American Express, one of the largest credit card companies in the world, has adapted to a more flexible scheduling model for its workers despite it having more than 50,000 employees globally. The company offers contract, part-time, full-time, and remote work opportunities, plus many positions include the ability to work from home if you’re a parent, you live a long distance from the office, or if unexpected events occur.
Automattic
Automattic, the parent company of WordPress and other influential web publishing technologies, has a popular work-from-anywhere policy that many of its employees use to create flexible schedules and lives. In fact, Automattic’s remote work policies were so successful the company closed its 15,000-square-foot office in San Francisco after not enough people used it. Additionally, if an employee wants to use a commercial coworking space, the company will give them a $250-a-month stipend to cover the cost.
Dell
Dell, one of the largest computer and technology firms in the world, has been a pioneer in flexible work scheduling. Starting in 2009, the company has built up its Connected Workplace program that allows employees to work remotely some or all of the time, with encouragement to get the work done in whatever way suits the employee. The company says the program has grown in popularity, with 60% of its global workforce now taking advantage of flexible work.
DuckDuckGo
As an innovator in internet technologies, it’s highly appropriate that search engine and privacy startup DuckDuckGo has a forward-looking approach to work. The company’s international workforce is trusted to “work wherever, whenever” to get the job done. So, if a worker needs to drop their kids off in the morning or take an afternoon gym class, it’s not a problem. The company says it uses multiple online tools to “connect and collaborate across time zones,” which ensures everyone is in the loop.
GitHub
Microsoft-owned GitHub has been at the forefront of community-focused software development for years. With its emphasis on communities that build, improve and support software, it makes sense that GitHub encourages flexible and remote work as a core tenet. On top of allowing most positions to work remotely, the company also offers unlimited paid time off as a benefit.
To keep up with the rapidly changing modern workplace, many companies are experimenting with flexible work schedules.
InVision
InVision, which provides companies and designers tools for “ideation, design, prototyping, and design management,” has employees in more than 20 countries and says it is fully distributed so there is no central hub worldwide. Employees can work from anywhere, creating more opportunities for flexible work schedules and work-life balance.
Upwork
As one of the top sites in the world that connects freelancers with companies, Upwork knows a thing or two about remote and flexible work. The company has three offices (Chicago, San Francisco, or Santa Clara), but it remains committed to a remote-work philosophy where most of its jobs can be done from anywhere. This creates more flexible work schedules for the majority of its employees.
UnitedHealth Group
UnitedHealth Group, the largest healthcare company in the world by revenue, has fostered a global workforce that understands the value of remote and flexible work. The company claims that its “virtual work environments provide work/life flexibility” to more than 25% of its employees, with telecommuting job options for auditors, analysts, medical coders and more.
Workiva
Enterprise software company Workiva offers a robust data management platform that helps large companies with compliance and reporting challenges. Part of the company’s success in building a workforce with more than 1,000 skilled employees has been allowing remote work for some of its positions, 12 weeks of paid parental leave, and eight hours of paid volunteer-time-off each year.
Zapier
Zapier, a company that offers business-focused tools that integrate web applications, has been a thought leader in remote work for years and even offers a guide for companies looking to enable or tweak remote work policies. All of Zapier’s more than 250 employees work wherever they want and the company claims its team is spread across “17 time zones in 24 countries.” Naturally, the company embraces flexibility and transparency in order to get the job done.
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