Hourly Worker Benefits Study

New Survey Reveals That Hourly Workers Want the Same Flexibility Their Salaried Counterparts are Now Receiving.

January 26, 2021

[Cornelius, NC] – MyWorkChoice, the app-enabled workforce solution that makes flexibility work for companies and W-2 employees, and Workplace Intelligence, an HR research and advisory firm, today announced a new study of 2,000 U.S. HR leaders and hourly workers, finding that we’ve reached a critical turning point in how we should view benefits for hourly workers. The study shows that hourly workers should receive the same, or some of the same, benefits (including flexibility) that salaried employees do. Employers who offer flexibility to hourly workers will be able to remain competitive in the talent marketplace and will benefit from a more loyal and satisfied workforce.

Key Survey Findings Include:

  • Hourly workers should have the same benefits, including flexibility, as salaried employees. 94% of employers and 87% of hourly workers believe hourly workers deserve the same (or some of the same ) benefits as salaried workers. 88% of employers and 86% of hourly workers believe that hourly workers should get the same (or some of the same ) degree of flexibility as salaried workers. And, both employers (90%) and hourly workers (84%) agree that hourly workers can have flexibility even if they have to be physically present to perform their job.

  • Employers who offer flexibility have a competitive advantage when hiring hourly workers. Almost all employers (97%) say that flexibility is at least slightly important to their overall HR strategy and 69% said important or very important. When selecting an employer to work for, 78%  of hourly workers said workplace flexibility is at least slightly important and half said it’s important or very important. Gen Z’s and Millennials (55%) say flexibility is more important than Gen X and Baby Boomers (44%).

  • Hourly workers have already benefitted from increased flexibility. 43% of hourly workers said they already have “some” or “the most” flexibility in their jobs and 79% said it has helped them support their lifestyle by reducing stress and anxiety (65%), allowing them to manage their commitments (62%), be more productive (48%) and earn additional income (40%). Over two-thirds of hourly workers said that having more flexibility makes them want to stay at their company longer, increases their job satisfaction, and improves their overall well-being. 18% of hourly workers say that a lack of flexibility is the leading reason why they would quit their jobs.
  • Employers benefit from the flexibility they offer hourly workers. 87% of employers are at least discussing a flexible hourly worker program, 27% recognize the benefits of it and 46% believe that flexibility for hourly workers is even more beneficial than retirement benefits and wellness programs.Offering flexibility to hourly workers has helped businesses increase employee satisfaction (59%), retention (40%) and productivity (39%) while reducing absenteeism (38%) an overtime (27%).Almost three-fourths of employers already allow their hourly workers choose their own shifts and 80 percent are open to it.

Quotes

“By offering employees more, you get more in return. The time has come to recognize that hourly workers are not only essential to the workforce ecosystem, but deserve the opportunity to choose their schedule around doctor’s appointments, school schedules and children’s sporting events. This is a fundamental shift in how we view the hourly workforce.”

– Tana Greene, CEO, MyWorkChoice

“This study gives new evidence that employee benefits, especially flexibility, should be universal regardless of employment situation. It is a common belief that only salaried employees should receive benefits, but we’ve reached a point where hourly workers deserve the same or similar benefits. Schedule flexibility benefits both employers and hourly workers because what’s good for workers is also good for business.”
 – Dan Schawbel, Managing Partner, Workplace Intelligence

Survey Methodology

Research findings are based on a survey conducted by Savanta, Inc. across the U.S. between October 2 – October 14, 2020. For this survey, 2,000 HR Leaders and Hourly Workers were asked general questions around hourly work conditions during the COVID-19 pandemic, Hourly Worker benefits, and seasonal hiring. The study targeted HR Leaders and Hourly Workers who are 19+ years old. Respondents were recruited through a number of different mechanisms, via different sources to join the panels and participate in market research surveys. All panelists have passed a double opt-in process and completed on average 300 profiling data points prior to taking part in a survey. Respondents were invited to take part via email and were provided with a small monetary incentive for doing so. Results of any sample are subject to sampling variation. The magnitude of the variation is measurable and affected by the number of interviews and the level of the percentages expressing the results. In this particular study, the chances are 95 in 100 that a survey result does not vary, plus or minus, by more than 2.2 percentage points from the result that would be obtained if interviews had been conducted with all persons in the universe represented by the sample.

About MyWorkChoice


MyWorkChoice is the modern, human-centered approach to hiring and managing the hourly workforce that keeps America’s warehousing, logistics, call center, and light industrial operations running smoothly. We are Hourly Workforce Gurus focused on helping forward-thinking companies build a dependable community of engaged employees . Through our flexible scheduling platform, deep analytics, and proprietary app, we bridge the gap between employees who seek flexible shifts and employers who demand a dependable workforce. When people can choose work that fits their life, everybody wins. For more information contact media@myworkchoice.com or visit myworkchoice.com.

About Workplace Intelligence

Workplace Intelligence, LLC is an HR research and advisory firm helping leaders adapt to trends, drive performance, and prepare for the future. Our mission is to create more intelligent workplaces using data-based insights. For more information go to our website and our LinkedIn profile.

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