December 5, 2006
The Workplace Flexibility 2010 News Roundup is a compilation of the latest news articles, reports and other materials related to workplace flexibility. The News Roundup appears twice-weekly. If you have questions about any of the items, please contact Jennifer Hedrick at jlh62@law.georgetown.edu.
Articles
With the Democratic Congress, Groups Gear Up for Fight Over Paid Sick Days
"With the Democratic Congress expected to move quickly to raise the minimum wage, many Democrats, women’s organizations and liberal groups are gearing up for a fight on another workplace issue: paid sick days.”
Caught the Flu but No Sick Leave
"For many, taking a sick day requires little thought. But by most estimates, nearly half of all private-sector workers in the United States do not have a single day of paid sick leave. And more do not have a paid day off that can be used to care for a sick child.”
'Extreme' Jobs on the Rise
"Although workaholics have always existed, their image has been glamorized. Today's overachievers are cast as ‘road warriors and masters of the universe,’ says Sylvia Ann Hewlett, president of the Center for Work-Life Policy in New York. Yet despite their impressive financial rewards, those burning this midnight oil face challenges. Warning that their pace is not sustainable, Dr. Hewlett says, ‘There's a lot of risk attached. The fallout in private lives is huge.’ In addition, women are being left behind because many cannot put in 70-hour weeks.” Mentions Ellen Galinsky.
Careers More Flexible
"The Bureau of Labor Statistics is planning to release data in mid-February that will show that more households of all income levels have a mom at home than at most times in the past decade, said economist Emy Sok. Past studies have shown that moms were staying at home more in affluent households.” Mentions Ellen Galinsky.
Work-Life Imbalance
"Ten years ago corporations were preparing for a revolution in the way in which their managers worked. This was to be brought on by three things: a flattening of the hierarchies, which would introduce democracy into offices; the fear of losing talented women, which would make companies willing to offer part-time work; and technology, which would mean most work could as easily be done from Starbucks as from the office. Under these new working conditions, people would work where and when they liked. Teams would be virtual and offices flexible. Ten years on the evidence of revolution has been patchy, its results at best mixed. In 2007 there will be a big retreat. Flexible ways of working, hot-desking and virtual teams will be in retreat.”
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