Raytheon Expands Flexibility through Comprehensive Approach

As part of its "Work-Life Balancing Series" reports, Center for Law and Social Policy

Until recently, employees who work at Raytheon Missile Systems might not have known that in 1997 the company implemented a full range of workplace flexibility programs.  The 9/80 work schedule was rolled out to all salaried personnel, and some other flexible work arrangements such as telecommuting became available but were not embraced.  That’s all changing this year due to a new and comprehensive approach the firm has implemented.

Anne E. Palmer, Worklife and Wellness Manager, explained that this past year Raytheon Missile Systems has combined the forces of the Human Resources, Information Technology (IT) and Facilities departments in an Advanced Work Strategies (AWS) team, and launched a management awareness building campaign to help create the kind of culture that embraces flexibility as a strategic business advantage.

“We just completed a survey of approximately 2000 employees, representing a cross-section of the 11,000 plus workforce and had an 80% response,” Ms. Palmer reported, noting that the data  provided an unprecedented opportunity to help managers understand the critical importance of workplace flexibility programs and how they can be successfully integrated in each department.

In addition, Raytheon’s systemic approach includes a unique team effort by the HR, IT and Facilities departments to assess what improvements can be made through technology, physical space and policies to truly support a mobile workforce.  “We’re looking at modifying existing offices, creating some hoteling space that can be reserved in advance for employees who are working off-site, allowing more employees to work remotely and in general, using our existing spaces more effectively,” she said.

The AWS team is offering an educational program for all managers to share their concerns and build their confidence in managing a mobile workforce, plus, Ms. Palmer implemented a “train-the-trainers” program so that knowledge of the flexible work arrangements tools is spread across multiple departments and is effectively integrated by each organization.

One innovative tool the Advanced Work Strategies team designed is a managers’ assessment piece.  This tool helps supervisors think through all of the issues that are most likely to come up when managing a mobile worker.  Items on the list include the workers’ past performance and suitability for teleworking, the types of tasks inherent in the job and their compatibility with off-site work, the IT needs of the worker, the workers’ onsite support needs, and a host of other concerns.  Ms. Palmer feels very good about the direction of flexibility in 2008: “It’s exciting to see the shift in our manager’s thinking and growth in their comfort level by combining the education and awareness with support from HR, IT and Facilities and our leadership,” says Palmer.

For more information:
Anne E. Palmer
Worklife & Wellness Manager
Raytheon Missile Systems
520-794-2190
aepalmer@raytheon.com