A flexible work schedule is just as flexible in concept. It might mean an employee has a set number of hours to work each day, but they choose when to fulfill those hours, or it could be that an employee has a set of tasks that must be completed by a deadline. In this study, researchers examined the effects of a results only work environment (ROWE)—where employees have complete control over their time—on the amount of time 225 parents were able to spend with their kids. Surprisingly, the amount of time spent with their children outside of evening meals changed only slightly. The only the tangible improvement occurred with mothers who spent very few meals with their children prior to the study. But even though the numbers don’t suggest it, the mothers of the experiment actually felt better about their work-life balance, especially the amount of control they had over their schedules and how they were spending their time. More from Prevention: Find Your Happy Place Even without any real change, is there still a benefit? Science says yes. “Numerous studies point to the idea that health outcomes for both sick and healthy individuals are higher when there is a higher level of perceived control,” says Ramani Durvasula, PhD, professor of psychology at University of California Los Angeles. A sense of helplessness when it comes to your schedule, according to Dr. Durvasula, hurts more than your productivity—the kind of prolonged stress that accompanies that ‘helpless’ feeling can result in poor immune functioning as well as symptoms of anxiety. Case in point: imagine how less stressful it would be to not feel like you’re getting fired when a sick child makes you late for work. But it’s not just children that makes women interested in flexible work schedules, she says, it’s caring for older parents, tending to a marriage, or pursuing hobbies which, according to Dr. Durvasula, can actually make you a better employee. “That balance can foster more creativity.” More from Prevention: Why You Need A Hobby But being a free agent isn’t for everyone—in fact, some people thrive in an environment where they’re constantly accounted for. The key here is finding the balance that works for you. “The definition of a flexible work schedule varies by industry and profession,” says Dr. Durvasula who, as a professor, never experiences an end-of-day whistle, so to speak. Consider whether or not being in a workspace fosters a sense of identity for you, if you need access to colleagues and tools to do your job, or if you’re driven by projects or daily hours. And while it may not actually get you home any earlier or give you more quality time with your husband, finding even a small aspect of your work-life balance to control can make a world of difference to your happiness. More from Prevention: Why You Love Your Age
