Becoming a Family-friendly Business
I saw a television news report recently on how to balance work life
with home life. This is not a new issue; we educators with University of Missouri Extension have been addressing this subject for the past
several years. But it is an important issue, and one that affects the
ability of business owners and managers to attract and maintain a quality
workforce.
The U.S. workplace and workforce have been in a state of flux for the
past 30 years. Dealing with change has become one of the most challenging
management/employee issues—and the challenge continues. The following
facts help to explain why:
- Fewer than 10 percent of families consist of an employed father
and a mother who stays at home full-time caring for the children.
- Almost 30 percent of the workforce cares for both dependent children
and elderly relatives.
- If both parents did not work, 35 percent more families would be
below the poverty line.
- Men are challenging family leave policies that appear to be developed
for women only.
- Women make up approximately 63 percent of new workers entering the
labor force as of the year 2000.
- In 10 years it is anticipated that 75 percent of all children will
have mothers in the workforce.
- The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (OSHA)
lists stress as one of the 10 leading work-related problems.
What are the business consequences of these changes in society? Businesses
are affected by reduced productivity, high turnover, absenteeism, tardiness,
low morale, and accidents and illnesses. Companies spend billions of
dollars each year on employees' stress-related claims.
Businesses can help employees deal with the potentially conflicting
demands of work and home by becoming a "family-friendly business,"
looking beyond the benefits traditionally provided to the workforce.
Begin by identifying the needs of working families and the available
resources. Help your community to ensure that quality childcare, elder
care and health care are available. Involve your employees in the creation
of workplace policies and programs.
Businesses that want to thrive in the next decade should look for simple,
economically feasible ways to support employees struggling to balance
the responsibilities of both work and family. The success of your business
could depend on your ability to meet the challenges of dealing with
this important issue.
For more information, contact the University
Extension office in your county.
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Authored by: Rick Sparks, Business and Industry
Specialist, University of Missouri Extension Center
Source: Creating Quality Newsletter, Volume
10, Number 7, July 2001
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