Although well-designed evaluative studies are still lacking in many areas, some
general conclusions can be drawn about the effects of work/family policies on
organizational and family functioning. Decreased work hours serve business
by increasing employee productivity and decreasing turnover, and they serve
families by decreasing depression in employees. Flextime policies increase
employee productivity by decreasing absenteeism and turnover, and they positively influence family functioning by decreasing employee depression an work/family conflict while increasing the time families spend together. Importantly, most research conceptualizes schedule flexibility rather narrowly.
This focus leaves unexamined policies that allow employees more autonomy
in structuring their work hours.