Becoming a Family-friendly Business

I saw a television news report 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 future 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.

- Rick Sparks, MO SBTDC for University of Missouri Extension's Creating Quality newsletter Jul. 2001.