More job interviewees are taking time during the interview process to ask about work-life balance options than they were five years ago, according to a survey.

In a recent survey developed by Robert Half Finance & Accounting, 56% of chief financial officers say are more likely to ask about work-life balance programs when meeting with prospective employers.

“As recently as five years ago, it was not as common for job candidates to inquire about flexible scheduling options or other alternative work arrangements during interviews,” says Max Messmer, chairman & CEO of Robert Half International.

CFOs were also asked to identify which, if any, scheduling options they offer their staff. The most common were flexible hours, cited by 44% of respondents, part-time work(19%)and job-sharing arrangements(14%).

Messmer adds that when designing work-life balance programs, companies should keep in mind that a one-size-fits-all approach is not always practical because different jobs have different levels of inherent flexibility. “Telecommuting, for example, is often best-suited for professionals who can work autonomously and do not need to be on hand to directly supervise other team members or meet with clients or customers.”

The survey was conducted by an independent research firm and is based on interviews with more than 270 CFOs from a random sample of Canadian companies with 20 or more employees.

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