October 20, 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
'Cheat Sheet' Helps Women, Moms Pick Friendly Firms
“For any law students who have been stumped about how to select a women-friendly employer, now there is a cheat sheet. Conceived as a tool for students and practicing attorneys to use when speaking to potential employers, the "Cheat Sheet" released on the East Coast in mid-September -- and showcased recently at a Bay Area law school -- is a list of in-depth questions women can ask to ascertain a firm's commitment to retention and advancement. It focuses on areas that, historically, have been stumbling blocks for women, including mentoring, workplace flexibility and partnership advancement.”
How to Get Perks? Just Ask
"Most jobs don't come with a private plane, but perks (short for 'perquisites')--defined as anything provided as payment in addition to a salary--can be a boon for everyone involved. Employees love the extras, and because they can be tax-deductible and are often cheaper than raising someone's wages, employers like them too. More and more companies have started offering flex time, day care and even housecleaning.”
Power in Numbers: Asking for Flex Time in a Group
"Sometimes there's safety and leverage in numbers. Maybe you don't want to be the only one asking for a flexible work arrangement, especially if you get the sense that other colleagues would benefit from the same thing, but are either afraid to ask or just don't even realize that asking might be an option. This could be the chance to partner with one or more people to explore the possibility of flex time.”
Population Control: In Estonia, Paying Women to Have Babies is Paying Off
"A handful of developed countries, including the Nordic nations and France, have stable populations thanks to a long tradition of financial support for families. But for other countries in Europe and Asia that have already seen steep falls in birthrates, demographers have doubted there was much that could be done. In an attempt to stop that downward spiral, Estonia took a bold step: In 2004 it began paying women to have babies. Working women who take time off after giving birth get their entire monthly income for up to 15 months, up to a ceiling of $1,560.”
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As Europe Grows Grayer, France Devises a Baby Boom
"In many European countries, park benches are filled with elderly residents. In France, parks overflow with boisterous children, making it an international model for countries struggling with the threat of zero population growth. In recent months, officials from Japan, Thailand and neighboring Germany have traveled to France to study its reproductive secrets. But the propensity of women here to have more babies has little to do with notions of French romance or the population's formerly strong religious ties to the Roman Catholic Church. France heavily subsidizes children and families from pregnancy to young adulthood with liberal maternity leaves and part-time work laws for women.”