Contact: Catherine Dehdashti, U of M Extension, (612) 625-0237; ced@umn.edu
Source: Amber Klause, U of M Extension. For more on this topic, please contact Jean Bauer at jbauer@umn.edu

In economic downturns, employers survive by being flexible

ST. PAUL, Minn. (5/27/2008) —Recent research from the University of Minnesota and other land grant universities from across the U.S. has found that salary is not what is most valued by low-income, rural women when they are looking for jobs. Instead, they want a job that is flexible with their time schedules, and understanding with issues of transportation and childcare. 

The “Rural Families Speak” project, authored by Dr. Jean Bauer, Dr. Mary Jo Katras, and Jaerim Lee of the University of Minnesota, found that only 16 percent of women remained in the same job over a period of three years. This data was collected from counties that had urban populations of less than 19,000 from across the Eastern, Western, Central, and Southern regions of the US, and during a time of economic growth and prosperity. That percentage is likely decreasing.

By increasing flexibility in the workplace, employers would be able to attract and retain more workers. Decreasing turnover means that employees have more time to learn the skills necessary to become proficient.  Increasing flexibility can be as easy as allowing job sharing (two people share one job), flex-time (variation in work schedule), part-time employment, or home-based employment. These strategies allow workers to take care of family responsibilities while still retaining employment.

In economic downturns, most vulnerable are those on the edge.  Low-income families may not lose as much in investments, but when jobs become difficult to retain, they risk losing their only source of income. Without an emergency fund, even brief amounts of time without work can be devastating.

Rural women have always worked to improve local economies. Small communities are recognized for their closeness; everyone pulls their share, and contributes to greater good. Now in times of trouble, research lends credence to the idea that communities must band together, recognize the work that each person is doing and provide opportunities for employment by recognizing the importance of flexibility in the workplace.

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URL: http:// www3.extension.umn.edu/extensionnews/2008/economicdownturns.html  This page was updated May 23, 2008 .
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