September 14, 2007
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 Death of Common Sense
"The U.S. Department of Labor recently completed a valuable exercise in gathering information on experiences with the Family and Medical Leave Act, the law known for allowing workers extended, unpaid leave for childbirth, adoptions and serious family illness. For all the law's welcome recognition of life's priorities, the department's June 27 report also demonstrates that the Family and Medical Leave Act is one of the most misunderstood and abused federal statutes on the books. Abuses--especially concerning what's called "unscheduled intermittent leave"--are causing real headaches for managers and hurting businesses' ability to serve customers. Furthermore, loopholes and ambiguities have created a no-win situation for employers wishing to curb the law's misuse, as well as for employees who are tired of seeing co-workers take advantage.”
Seeking Loyal, Devoted Workers? Let Them Stay at Home
"Asked to identify the most devoted, loyal employees at their company, many people would probably point to colleagues who are at their desks before everyone else arrives and who remain there after everyone else leaves. But that answer may be wrong. A recent survey finds that workers who telecommute from home or elsewhere, while still a very small portion of the work force, report the highest levels of satisfaction with their jobs and loyalty to their employers.”