September 8, 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
The Mommy Track May Go Somewhere
"Welcome to Mommy Track 2.0. The old Mommy Track was a path where up-and-coming women found that having children effectively disqualified them for top positions. They either took themselves out of the running, settling for lower-level positions with more predictable hours and less responsibility, or their male bosses assumed that because these women had children, they wouldn't or couldn't give their all to the office. Now, some employers in high-pressure professions such as law, medicine, accounting and finance — that years ago may have fired women who became pregnant — are finally giving working mothers what they've wanted for years: a shot at the top jobs but with flexible hours, part-time schedules or other concessions to their care-giving responsibilities.”
More Women Return to Work
"The percentage of women returning to the workforce is again on the rise, after hitting a recent low in March 2005. Some experts had attributed the drop to a cultural shift. With the career-minded baby boom generation heading toward retirement — the oldest boomers turn 60 this year — some pundits speculated that a younger generation of women raised by working mothers was less inclined to pursue a career while raising a family. However, they may have spoken too quickly.”
In Today's Rat Race, the Most Overworked Win
"On this Labor Day, consider a paradox: Millions of Americans say they feel overworked and stressed out. Many say they want to work fewer hours and find a better balance between responsibilities at home and work. Given that people have been saying this for quite a while, employers should have figured out by now that they can save money by being more flexible in workplace arrangements. Decidedly, however, this has not happened.”
On the Job, Nursing Mothers Find a 2-Class System
"Doctors firmly believe that breast milk is something of a magic elixir for babies, sharply reducing the rate of infection, and quite possibly reducing the risk of allergies, obesity, and chronic disease later in life. But as pressure to breast-feed increases, a two-class system is emerging for working mothers.”
Employers Who Make it Easier to be a Working Mom
"Working mother may be a redundant term because all moms work hard, whether it's in the home or out. But mothers with jobs face unique challenges every day. Thankfully, there are many employers who offer a supportive environment to help these women shine, personally and professionally. Read on for a closer look at how some of the U.S.'s largest employers are embracing working moms.”
Moms Head Back to School
"In October, Dartmouth College's Tuck School of Business launches a new program called "Back in Business: Invest in Your Return." The intensive, 11-day program will be held in New York City and at Dartmouth's campus in Hanover, N.H. The pilot class of around 35 participants is made up mostly of women returning to work after raising children.”
Reports
Not Married to the Job: Annual Report on the American Workplace
"If you feel like it’s getting tougher to balance all the competing pressures of life, you’re not alone. In fact, more than three of every five workers find it difficult to balance work, family and other personal interests, according to new polling data released today by the Alliance for Marriage.” Mentions Workplace Flexibility 2010, Families and Work Institute and Tom Kochan (MIT).
To access the report click on the following link: