White House Boosts ‘Flexible’ Workplace, As 15 Million Still Seek ANY Workplace

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.inthesetimes.com/working/entry/5768/white_house_boosts_flexible_workplace_while_15_million_still_seek_any_workp/

Thursday April 1 9:27 am

By Art Levine

The White House on Wednesday took time out to promote the value of a flexible workplace that can accomodate two-paycheck families. With 15 million people officially unemployed, it made one nostalgic for a time before the recession, when people worried about the quality of their work lives rather than about just finding a job.

But allowing workers flexible schedules so they can balance their work and family lives isnt just a luxury that should be reserved for flush economic times. As Michelle Obama pointed out at the event that included business and family advocates, "So it's something that many of the companies here today have discovered, very fortunately, that flexible policies actually make employees more, not less, productive."

To underscore that point, the White House Council of Economic Advisers released a report that, the White House noted, "discusses the economic benefits of workplace flexibility—such as reduced absenteeism, lower turnover, improved health of workers, and increased productivity."

Still, there might be a way to combine workplace flexibility with job creation -- by adopting the proposal of Dean Baker and others to use unemployment insurance or other funds to help keep people on the job but working fewer hours.

Unfortunately, that sort of approach responding to the clamor for work didn't get as much attention as innovative ways to promote flexible hours for employees so they can juggle personal and work obligations. As the Huffington Post's Dan Froomkin reported:

Two out of three American families are so-called "juggler families," in which parents are forever trying to balance the needs of their job with the needs of their children.

But many workplaces -- and government policies -- are still stuck in the distant past, operating as if most families still had a single breadwinner, and someone else to mind the kids when they're out of school, or the grandparents when they need care.

Once you realize that, there are a bunch of employer practices and policy proposals that suddenly make a lot of sense: Encouraging telecommuting, giving people time off for family emergencies, enabling flexible schedules, allowing employees to swap shifts, and so on...

As part of his push, Obama cited a new White House report which concludes that flexible workplace rules could increase productivity.

But he also cast the need for more humane workplaces in moral terms. "ltimately, it reflects our priorities as a society -- our belief that no matter what each of us does for a living, caring for our loved ones and raising the next generation is the single most important job that we have. I think it's time we started making that job a little easier for folks," he said.

FULL story at link.

[DJ13]

1. Its a shame these pro family policies have to be sold on the basis of productivity

instead of on the basis of treating employees with dignity and doing whats right for them.

[SocialistLez]

2. +1

[SocialistLez]

3. WTF?!? was my initial thought...

I have a pretty inflexible job BUT I am grateful to have a job. I am glad my employer works with me since I'm in college but it seems like the unspoken rule is that since I'm part time, I am not supposed to request days off.

In any case, let's work until the unemployment rate is under at least 7%, pass the EFCA, and THEN we can talk about flexible workplaces.

[madrchsod]

4. flexible work force? ....

that idea has been around since the mid 70`s. nice idea but it`s never going to replace the wonderful work till ya work till ya die work ethic of american business.

now if we had universal health care,no workman`s comp,and other stuff the rest of our competitors have it might just work.