More on Workplace Flexibility

By Lisa Frederiksen on April 13th, 2010

Two-thirds of American families have all available parents in the workplace, and yet, the workplace – in many cases – still has not implemented policies nor adopted a company philosophy that allows employees to balance the demands of two full time jobs (work and raising children/managing a household).

On March 31, 2010, President Barack Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama and the White House Council on Women and Girls hosted a daylong summit at the White House, inviting organized labor, small business and large company leaders, policy experts and parents to discuss best practices for bringing about workplace flexibility – unprecedented! And, it was not just about flexibility for parents — flexibility to incorporate quality of life issues for all employees was part of the discussion, as well.

Quoting from the President’s remarks:

“Now, it’s true that women are still disproportionately affected by this issue…. But plenty of fathers out there wish they had more time to spend with their kids. Plenty of sons wish they could do more for their elderly parents. Plenty of workers — both women and men — wish they could go back to school so they can beef up their skills and advance their careers. And there are plenty of communities that desperately need the new jobs we can create when we embrace teleworking and mobile workplaces.”

The time is to act is NOW. Get involved with this effort. Here are some links that can help:

Women’s Bureau of the U.S. Department of Labor’s Flex Options website, www.flexoptions.org.

Office of the President – Work Life Balance and the Economics of Workplace Flexitility report.

9to5 advocacy group

MomsRising.org advocay group

Categories: Featured Article, Take Action
Tags: White House Council on Women and Girls, workplace flexibility

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Dear Friends –

Women Inspiring Innovation through Imagination, the theme for 2013 Women's History Month , recognizes American women's outstanding contributions to the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). We are proud to honor eighteen women whose pioneering work includes scientific breakthroughs, life-saving discoveries, invention of new technologies, creation of organizations, and the promotion of women and girls in STEM. For full description, visit our website www.nwhp.org.

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