To maintain a strong competitive advantage, Cisco remains focused on attracting and retaining the most talented individuals in the industry. We know that our employees' lifestyles and needs change over time and that we must adapt to support them. We believe that there is a positive correlation between flexibility in the workplace and employee productivity.

Flexibility at Cisco is the ability to informally or formally adjust one's work schedule in a way that maximizes productivity, achieves business goals, and enables work and life integration. Flexibility focuses on results rather than physical presence in an office. Cisco's tools and culture enable great flexibility in when, where, and how people work. Establishing consistency and transparency is critical for the flexibility program.

Cisco estimates that 90 percent of its U.S. employees regularly use flex time. Technologies that support these work arrangements include:

  • High-speed Internet access at home, paid for by Cisco
  • Discounted routers for home offices
  • Hand-held devices and notebook computers instead of desktop computers.

We use our own technological developments to enhance our employees' work experience. Because our employees have access to information, regardless of where they are, they can feel confident about providing consistently strong service to our customers.

Other Flexibility Offerings

Convenience (not available in all locations):

  • Onsite oil changes and car wash service
  • Onsite haircuts
  • Onsite dental care
  • Guaranteed emergency ride home program
  • Onsite fitness centers with access to showers in every building

Education:

  • E-learning courses
  • Onsite programs including cooking classes, parenting classes, and financial planning seminars
  • Onsite Weight Watchers programs

Family:

  • Access to childcare facilities
  • Eldercare assistance
  • Employee assistance program with access to a national network of licensed counselors and crisis counselors, including legal and financial assistance
  • Employee discounts for various products and services

Tools for Increasing Flexibility

In 2006, Cisco developed a Flexibility Toolkit to provide managers and employees with a framework for discussing business priorities and goals while incorporating flexibility into work arrangements.

Other tools available to our employees and their managers:

  • Managers have access to new education programs, featuring video-on-demand information to help answer their questions about how to manage remote workers on their teams.
  • Employees can now apply to work remotely through an online application process that prompts them to formulate a business case and anticipate the effects of their move on their team and customer relations.
  • Managers and employees each have their own versions of Flexibility Toolkits; the one for managers includes checklists, tips for handling difficult situations, and a worksheet to document the agreed work arrangements, while the one for employees includes best practices for remaining in touch with co-workers.
  • Managers and employees can determine best practices for flexibility arrangements for their teams.

Cisco is receiving positive feedback for our efforts in the area of workplace flexibility. Fortune magazine recognized us as number 25 on their list of the 100 Best Places to Work in America, noting our commitment to listening to our employees. In addition to Fortune magazine, Workspan magazine and Financial Times listed Cisco in their 100 Best Places to Work and Best Workplaces for Commuters lists, respectively.

In FY2007, we will be introducing the Flexibility Toolkit to each department throughout the company. Our focus is on supporting managers and capturing data about employees' flexible arrangements. The ability to achieve companywide goals while allowing for a more flexible arrangement and healthy work-life balance is a critical element of the Cisco culture. To maintain a strong competitive advantage, Cisco remains focused on attracting and retaining the most talented individuals in the industry. We know that our employees' lifestyles and needs change over time and that we must adapt to support them. We believe that there is a positive correlation between flexibility in the workplace and employee productivity.

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