Articles Index
Flexible Benefits Research for Employees from 2012 Study
Flexible benefits for employees have changed from 2005 to 2012, according to the Families and Work Institute's 2012 National Study of Employers. While employer benefits around where and when employees get their work done have increased, there's a declining benefit for employees in reduced hour schedules, caregiving leave and flexible careers, the research found.
Progress on Female Gender Roles is Slowing, Research Finds
When asking about female gender roles, it's helpful to look at the most recent research. Surveys point to America's notion of gender role and also illustrate the gender roles women and men hold in the family and external world. In 2012, the Council on Contemporary Families held a gender revolution to explore the question of differences in gender roles.
Flexperience Consulting Places Experienced Professionals for Short-Term Projects
Flexperience Consulting, based in the San Francisco Bay area, focuses on highly experienced professionals in marketing, law, human resources, or finance. Flexperience Consulting places people with companies for a special project, to cover an employee's leave of absence, or simply to add staff on a temporary basis. You apply through the Web site and if your qualifications match the agency's needs, Flexperience Consulting will follow up to learn more about your skills and goals.
Using Flexforce Professionals for Part-Time Work
One targeted way to find part-time work is through a staffing firm such as Flexforce Professionals. If you're in the Washington D.C. area or hoping to more there, Flexforce Professionals may be a good resource for finding flexible work. You upload your resume into Flexforce Professionals' database and wait to be matched with a project.
Will New Rules End Sales of Handmade and Used Children's Clothes and Toys?
The Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act aimed to make children's toys and equipment safe, after a string of product recalls due to toxic contamination. Retailers had worried the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act would effectively ban thrift stores and small businesses from selling handmade or used children's clothing and gear because they can't afford testing to prove the products are safe. The agency said thrift stores are okay, but handcrafters are still waiting for a decision.
Working Mother Report on What Moms Choose
The Working Mother report "What Moms Choose" gives a snapshot of the choices mothers make with regard to work and family. This summary of the Working Mother report "What Moms Choose" details the results of a survey of 3,781 women by Working Mother Magazine and Ernst & Young. Whether you're a stay-at-home mom or working mom, you're sure to find some interesting points in this report.
Profile of Hillary Rodham Clinton
Hillary Rodham Clinton is one of the most powerful women in Washington. A former first lady when her husband, Bill Clinton, was president from 1993 to 2001, Rodham Clinton came into her own politically by winning election as a New York senator from 2001 to 2009 and being appointed the 67th United States Secretary of State by President Barack Obama. Read on for a profile of Hillary Rodham Clinton.
Profile of Politician Michele Marie Bachmann
A self-proclaimed “Constitutional Conservative,” Michele Marie Bachmann, a Republican member of the U.S. House of Representatives, became a candidate for the Republican nomination for president in 2012. Politician Michele Bachmann rode into public prominence on the Tea Party tidal wave in 2010. Read on for a profile of Michele Bachmann.
Working Mother Best Companies for 2011
With the Working Mother Best Companies for 2011 list, you can vet potential employers for the family-friendly benefits included in their human resources policies. Ultimately, your experience of work-life balance and flexibility will differ based on your position, work group and supervisor. Still, the Working Mother Best Companies for 2011 list at least gives a starting point to find a job with the work-life fit you want. For 2011, these are the Working Mother Best Companies, according to policies for paid parental leave, back-up child care, flexible work, flextime, elder care, on-site gyms and other work-life benefits.
Pregnancy Discrimination Claims Rose in the 1990s, early 2000s
Pregnancy discrimination complaints to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission rose dramatically, with women filing 65% more claims in 2007 than in 1992, according to a report by the National Partnership for Women & Families. Claims of pregnancy discrimination climbed faster than the influx of women into the workforce. Pregnancy discrimination claims by women of color drove the increase, said the report, which was released on the 30th anniversary of the Pregnancy Discrimination Act.
Fortune Best Companies for 2011
The Fortune 100 Best Companies list helps working parents know which employers pay well, offer fun perks and worker-friendly benefits. Ultimately, your work-life balance depends on your position, work group and boss. Still, the Fortune Best Companies list gives a starting point to find an employer with the right work-life fit for you. For 2011, these are the Fortune Magazine Best Companies, based on pay, benefits and work environment for employees.
Choosing Between Spring Break Destinations
Comparing spring break destinations for your family isn't always an easy task. However, by following this step-by-step plan for evaluating spring break destinations, you can streamline your efforts.
Working Mother Report on Whether Women Seek Jobs or a Career
Are women looking for jobs or a full-fledged career? A 2010 report by Working Mother found that working moms who view work as a career are happier and more satisfied than women in jobs. Career-oriented women also feel more respected at home and get more help from spouses in child care and household management. So where do you fit into the picture: a woman for the job or one aiming for a full-fledged career?
Working Mother Best Companies for 2010
The Working Mother Best Companies list helps working moms know which employers include family-friendly benefits in their human resources policies. Ultimately, your work-life balance depends on your position, work group and boss. Still, the Working Mother Best Companies list gives a starting point to find an employer with the right work-life fit. For 2010, these are the Working Mother Best Companies, based on maternity leave, flexible work, flextime, elder care and other work-life benefits.
What Is Labor Day?
What is Labor Day? The annual U.S. holiday is more than an extra day to spend at the beach. The history of Labor Day stretches back over 100 years to the first known observance of Labor Day as a parade of 10,000 workers on Sept. 5, 1882, in New York City. Congress established Labor Day as a federal holiday in 1894 and shortly thereafter, President Grover Cleveland designated the first Monday in September as Labor Day.
What Father's Day Gifts Are the Most Popular?
Whether you want to stick out from the crowd or pick a safe choice for dad, it's helpful to know what Father's Day gifts are the most popular. A National Retail Federation survey found that Americans will spend the most on outings and clothing for Father's Day gifts. Gift cards and electronics are also popular Father's Day gifts.
Dads Feel Work-Life Conflict Too, Survey Shows
Dads feel work-life conflict too, according to a new survey by CareerBuilder. When the economy gets tough, dads experience more work-life conflict. Sixty-three percent of working dads put in more than 40 hours per week. And of those who take work home with them, 31 percent do so five days a week or more and 30 percent on the weekends. Work-life conflict isn't just for moms anymore!
Get the Numbers on Kids Heading Back to School
It's time to go back to school! We spend $7.6 billion on clothes in August, in large part for back to school. This fall, 76 million children and adults will go back to school. Learn these and other back to school facts.
Profile of U.S. Journalist Euna Lee
Working mom Euna Lee gained international prominence when she and colleague Laura Ling were detained in North Korea while reporting for Current Media about trafficking of women along the China-North Korea border. Euna Lee and Laura Ling were sentenced to 12 years hard labor for illegally entering North Korea. After 140 days in jail, Euna Lee and Laura Ling were released on Aug. 4, 2009, after former President Bill Clinton intervened.
Understanding FMLA Leave
FMLA leave is an important benefit for working moms to understand. Many women use FMLA leave to take time off after giving birth to a child or to care for a child's chronic illness. This profile of FMLA leave will help you understand when you're entitled to it, and what loopholes might catch you off guard.
The Best Companies According to Working Mother Magazine
The Working Mother Best Companies help guide working moms who want to know which employers have family-friendly policies on the books. While your individual experience will depend on your job, work group and supervisor, the Working Mother Best Companies list will at least give you a starting point. For 2009, these are the Working Mother Best Companies for working moms, according to policies for flextime, wellness, job-sharing and other work-life balance benefits.
Survey Finds Most Workers Willing to Earn Less, Lose Flexibility to Keep a Job
A 2009 survey of full-time employees found 94 percent were willing to take a pay cut, change their schedule or lose flexibility to keep a job. The recession has forced 90 percent of workers surveyed to change employment plans, forgo a career break or other flexibility to keep a job. Still, companies continue to offer work-life flexibility, according to the report by Work+Life Fit on what people would do to keep a job.
Fun Facts and History of Grandparents Day
When is Grandparents Day? Who started it? How many grandparents are there, anyway? These question and more answered in our list of fun facts on Grandparents Day.
Profile of Character Joan Burton of Army Wives on Lifetime
The Lifetime drama Army Wives portrays Joan Burton, a working mom balancing a military career with her marriage and newborn baby. Army Wives' Joan Burton is a lieutenant colonel in the Army who struggles with redeploying to Iraq and separating from her infant and husband. Joan's husband Roland gave up his career as a psychiatrist to be a stay-at-home dad, though he also sees some patients at a clinic that has on-site child care.
Michelle Obama's Work and Family Balance Choices
Michelle Obama's work choices exemplify the tradeoffs many mothers make in balancing family and career. Michelle Obama worked at the law firm Sidley and Austin before deciding to take a pay cut to work in the nonprofit and government sector. As senator, Barack's work made Michelle Obama feel like a single mom until she demanded more help from Barack. Michelle Obama left her job when her husband ran for, and then won, the presidency of the U.S.