When it comes to enjoying work-life flexibility, employees say a lack of time and increased workloads are the main obstacles—more than the impact to their careers or paychecks.  

Findings from the 2011 Work+Life Fit Reality Check also include:

• Eleven percent of respondents said that their use of work-life flexibility increased and 76 percent said it stayed the same during the recession.
• While in the recovery, 10 percent thought their level of use of work-life flexibility would increase and 82 percent felt it would stay the same.
• Compared to this time last year, 66 percent report they have the same amount of work-life flexibility, and 17 percent saw an increased amount.
• Sixty-six percent believe employee health, morale and productivity suffer as a result of having no work-life flexibility.
• The most cited obstacle, with 29 percent indicating so, was increased workload or no time for flexibility.
• Worrying about making less money due to improved work-life flexibility has decreased from 45 percent in 2006 to 21 percent this year.
• Those who worried about a boss saying no to more work-life balance decreased from 32 percent five years ago to just 13 percent this year.
• In 2006, 39 percent reported worrying about others thinking they didn't work hard, compared to only 11 percent this year.

"Whatever flexibility there was before the downturn survived, indicating it is here to stay in good times and bad. Work-life flexibility withstood its toughest test and continues to grow," says Cali Williams Yost, CEO, Work+Life Fit, Inc.

"But, just when employees start to worry less about using flexibility, now they think they're too busy to do so. Clearly, both organizations and employees struggle with how to make flexibility work as a meaningful and deliberate part of the way we manage our business, work and lives."