Flexible Work Arrangements in Engineering
Project Overview
Client: Ontario Society of Professional Engineers (OSPE)
Project: Finding the Right Balance: An Evidence-Based Examination of Flexible Work Arrangements
My role: Research design, project coordination, quantitative and qualitative analysis, report development, and client presentation
Methods: Survey research, interviews, literature review, quantitative analysis, and qualitative research
Tools: Excel
This research investigated the implications of flexible and hybrid working arrangements for engineering professionals and their employers.
The study examined how different working arrangements affected employee experience, professional development, workplace relationships, and organizational practices.
Particular attention was given to the experiences of women in engineering and the implications of flexible work for recruitment, retention, and workplace equity.
The objective was to develop an evidence-based understanding of the benefits and challenges of flexible work and identify practices that could better support both employees and organizations.
Research Approach
The research combined several sources of evidence:
- A survey of OSPE members, with 1,199 valid responses.
- Interviews with 15 engineering employers and recruiters.
- An employer survey examining organizational experiences with flexible work.
- A literature review and environmental scan.
- Comparisons with previous research on working arrangements in the engineering profession.
The analysis examined employee experiences, employer perspectives, and differences in the implications of flexible work across organizational and workforce contexts.
My Contributions
I served as the primary author and day-to-day research lead.
My responsibilities included:
- Developing the research approach and supporting survey design.
- Coordinating research activities and client meetings.
- Conducting quantitative survey analysis using Excel.
- Analyzing interview findings and employer survey results.
- Integrating findings from multiple sources into a coherent research narrative.
- Developing the principal research reports and supporting deliverables.
- Preparing and delivering a presentation of the research findings.
- Incorporating client feedback and coordinating revisions.
The project involved the preparation of a comprehensive primary research report, supporting analyses, and a presentation for approximately 15–20 OSPE representatives.
Findings and Outcomes
The research identified benefits associated with flexible work, including improved employee satisfaction and potential advantages for recruitment and retention.
It also identified challenges associated with remote work, particularly where organizational practices did not adequately support communication, collaboration, mentorship, and professional development.
The findings informed recommendations concerning the design and implementation of hybrid working arrangements, including the importance of deliberate coordination between remote and in-person work.
The completed research provided an evidence base for OSPE’s engagement and advocacy concerning flexible working arrangements in the engineering profession.