Working at Home Could Boost Layoff Risk, Some Fear

'Trend toward flexibility' makes about-face in rough economy
By Matt Cantor,  Newser Staff
Posted Mar 23, 2009 10:16 AM CDT
Working at Home Could Boost Layoff Risk, Some Fear
Some workers are concerned that if they don't maximize office time, they could get laid off.   (Shutterstock)

Workers who once had the flexibility to work from home are sticking to the office, worried that less “face time” could make them layoff targets, the Washington Post reports. To some women, the shift appears to be a step backward as pressure builds to “work as many hours as you possibly can. Don’t ever complain,” says the head of a networking group.

“The trend had been moving toward more flexibility. Now we’re going in the opposite direction,” says a lawyer. Laws meant to ensure work-life balance are going out the window as legislators realize they lack the cash to enforce them. While there’s little hard data on the issue, “I think anybody with a flexible arrangement feels like their job is on the line,” says one laid-off woman. (More job stories.)

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