Latest Articles
Global Perspectives:
Work/Life Effectiveness in Asia: One Size Doesn't Fit All
While both women and men in Asia have high career aspirations, more women than men experience lack of workplace flexibility as a career obstacle.
Flex Practices:
Workplace Flex Heats Up this Summer
American workplaces are loosening up schedules, adding time off and cutting Fridays short to accommodate employees' plans for summer fun.
Using Workplace Flexibility as a Talent Strategy
The "new economy," which favors lean and highly productive organizations, is forcing employers to think differently about their talent management strategies—and overcoming resistance to flex work options.
Advocacy:
Workplace Flex Needed, but Don't Mandate It
A U.S. Senate committee heard testimony on challenges to work and family life, and why a government-imposed paid leave mandate is not the answer.
Older Workers:
Providing Flex Options to Older Workers Yields Strategic Benefits
A new report points to wide-ranging flexible workplace options that can retain older workers, tap into the experience of retired workers and help employers fill skills and knowledge gaps.
Caregiving:
Study Highlights Best Practices in Workplace Elder Care
Responding to the needs of employees who have elder caregiving responsibilities does not have to be expensive or elaborate, notes a new study highlighting successful elder care programs at 17 U.S. employers.
Gay Partners Get Some Caretaking Leave
Caretaking leave for same-sex partners is protected by some state laws. In addition, the Family and Medical Leave Inclusion Act would amend the FMLA to allow employees to take unpaid leave to care for a same-sex spouse or partner, parent-in-law, adult child, sibling, grandchild or grandparent.
Telework/Telecommuting:
Denial of Telecommuting Request Might Have Violated ADA
JPMorgan Chase Bank might have violated the Americans with Disabilities Act’s (ADA) reasonable accommodation obligation by denying a request to telecommute, according to a March district court ruling.
'Hoteling' Employees at Patent Office Work More, Cost Less
At the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, 3,000 patent examiners and technical support staff personnel telework from fully functioning home offices on a nearly full-time basis. Here's how it works.
Compliance:
Flexible Work Arrangements: A Compliance Checklist
Employers in the U.S. who have employees in flexible work situations need to consider federal, state and local laws that affect these arrangements. This checklist of applicable federal statutes and related action steps can help begin the compliance process.
Communications & Technology:
Telework Dashboards
At the U.S. General Services Administration in Washington, D.C., dashboards are used regularly by managers to track levels of staff telework in their departments.
Flex Hours:
24-Hour Shift: Mobile Employees Work Around the Clock
Overwhelmingly, employees who work outside the office using laptops and other personal electronic devices say they are more productive and efficient—and have more control over work/life balance.
Workplace FLexibility Overviews
Full Engagement Lacking Around World
When asked what would improve job satisfaction, "more flexible job conditions" made the top three list (along with "career development and training opportunities" and "more opportunities to do what I do best"), a BlessingWhite global survey found.
The Business Case for Work/Family Programs
Organizations believe that offering work/family programs will benefit the business and enhance employee commitment and performance. Research funded by the SHRM Foundation discovered that the mere availability of these types of programs can have positive outcomes on employee performance—even if their use is low.
Work/Life Interference: Expanding and Improving Measurement
Work/life flexibility doesn't only relate to family obligations, and not all employees in need of a balanced life have children. HR professionals need to consider a more holistic and inclusive approach to assessing work interference with life outside of work.
HR Initiatives for 2011
The January 2011 HR Magazine cover story recommends strategic steps including "Find a mix of nonmonetary rewards." Money is important, but it’s not enough, especially for top performers and high-potential employees. Workers across the board are looking for paid time off, vacation, flexible schedules and a secure place to work.