Friday, April 02, 2010

Obama promotes flexible working

This week the White House hosted a Forum on Workplace Flexibility. Michele Obama started it off giving some of her personal experiences in trying to balance family pressures and a career. There was then a panel discussion and the event ended with a great speech from the President pointing out the benefits of flexible working, not just for individuals but for employers as well.

It can all be found on YouTube ( see http://bit.ly/ObamaFlexibility )and there is a report from the Council of Economic Advisers called "The Economics of Workplace Flexibility" (http://bit.ly/WorkplaceFlexibility). The text of Barak Obama's speech can be found at http://bit.ly/ObamaWFtext.

What we need now is a similar lead from the Prime Minister in the UK and fom the EU for Europe. Promotion of new ways of working as a BUSINESS BENFIT not just a social policy.

Here are some quotes from his speech...

".. we as a society still see workplace flexibility policies as a special perk for women rather than a critical part of a workplace that can help all of us."

"And as for how this issue affects companies’ bottom lines, a report by the White House Council of Economic Advisers that we’re releasing today found that companies with flexible work arrangements can actually have lower turnover and absenteeism, and higher productivity, and healthier workers.

So let’s be clear: Workplace flexibility isn’t just a women’s issue. It’s an issue that affects the well-being of our families and the success of our businesses. It affects the strength of our economy -- whether we’ll create the workplaces and jobs of the future we need to compete in today’s global economy.

And ultimately, 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."

"Many of you here represent companies and workplaces that are already doing just that -- embracing telecommuting, flextime, compressed work weeks, job sharing, flexible start and end times, and helping your employees generally find quality childcare and eldercare. And if you’re doing this not just because it’s the right thing to do, but because you’ve found that what’s good for your workers and is good for your families can be good for your bottom lines and your shareholders as well, then you need to spread the word."

"And that’s why John is working ... to provide opportunities for federal employees ...to telework on a regular basis. Where regulations are in the way, we’ll see what we can do to change them. Where new technology can help, we’ll find a secure, cost-effective way to install it. Where training is needed to help managers and workers embrace this approach, we’ll adopt the best practices from the private sector."

"It’s about attracting and retaining top talent in the federal workforce and empowering them to do their jobs, and judging their success by the results that they get -- not by how many meetings they attend, or how much face-time they log, or how many hours are spent on airplanes. It’s about creating a culture where, as Martha Johnson puts it, “Work is what you do, not where you are.”"

Let's hope some of these messages get through to the Public Sector in the UK. Given the current emphasis on improving efficiency this seems like a good place to start.

22 comments:

Chris Ridgewell said...

Peter, Interestingly the White Housse Report contains some good case studies but they are getting quite old by now. No mention is made of Jack Nilles who claims to have invented "telecommuting" in 1984. Neither is telecommuting wizard Gil Gordon's work mentioned. And, what of the State of California Transport Dept's use of home working during the earth
quake a few years ago ?

Nonetheless, this is a good start that our Parliamentary leaders would be best advised to take notice of.

Chris Ridgewell said...

The UK Government needs to realise that flexible working and work-life balance are NOT just about women in work. Nor is it just about Paternal Leave. The Right to Request is, in itself, discriminating against all those in the workforce who do not qualify.

Anonymous said...

Hey there! I just wish to offer you a big thumbs up for your excellent info you
have got here on this post. I will be returning to
your website for more soon.

Here is my homepage - Automated pay days review Description: You can wake up when you want to and you don't get that Monday sensation. Also

Anonymous said...

I all the time emailed this website post page to all my contacts, since if like to read
it next my friends will too.

Here is my weblog - 100dayloanreviews.com

Anonymous said...

Attractive section of content. I just stumbled upon your web
site and in accession capital to assert that I acquire in fact enjoyed account your blog posts.
Any way I'll be subscribing to your feeds and even I achievement you access consistently quickly.

Also visit my web-site - Buy VImax

Anonymous said...

A person necessarily help to make seriously articles I'd state. That is the first time I frequented your website page and up to now? I amazed with the analysis you made to make this actual post incredible. Fantastic activity!

My site pure garcinia cambogia

Anonymous said...

I was able to find good info from your content.


Also visit my webpage: green coffee bean reviews

Anonymous said...

Simply desire to say your article is as surprising.

The clarity for your put up is simply spectacular and i can suppose
you're an expert in this subject. Well with your permission let me to grasp your feed to stay updated with approaching post. Thank you 1,000,000 and please keep up the rewarding work.

Check out my web-site - Ultra SLim Patch Review

Anonymous said...

It's in fact very complex in this busy life to listen news on Television, thus I just use the web for that purpose, and get the newest news.

Look at my web blog; Wrinkle cream

Anonymous said...

The other day, while I was at work, my sister stole my iPad and
tested to see if it can survive a forty foot drop, just so she
can be a youtube sensation. My apple ipad
is now destroyed and she has 83 views. I know this is entirely off topic but I
had to share it with someone!

my page Buy Muscle Factor X

Anonymous said...

naturally like your website but you have to take a look at the spelling on quite a few
of your posts. Many of them are rife with spelling issues and I to
find it very troublesome to inform the truth however I
will surely come again again.

Here is my homepage Green coffee diet

Anonymous said...

I love it when folks come together and share opinions. Great site, keep it up!


testosterone booster

Anonymous said...

Hi, i read your blog from time to time and
i own a similar one and i was just wondering if you get a lot of spam feedback?
If so how do you stop it, any plugin or anything you can suggest?
I get so much lately it's driving me mad so any help is very much appreciated.

Also visit my blog post ... buy garcinia cambogia

Anonymous said...

I enjoy, result in I discovered just what I used to be having a look
for. You've ended my four day lengthy hunt! God Bless you man. Have a nice day. Bye

Also visit my web blog ... Lean Muscle FOrmula Price

Anonymous said...

I am in fact happy to glance at this website posts which includes plenty of valuable facts,
thanks for providing these information.

online profit master

Anonymous said...

Good day! I just want to offer you a big thumbs up for the
great information you have got here on this post. I
am coming back to your web site for more soon.


my web page ... lean muscle diet

Anonymous said...

It is in reality a nice and helpful piece of info. I'm glad that you shared this useful information with us. Please keep us informed like this. Thanks for sharing.


Ultra Force

Anonymous said...

Please let me know if you're looking for a article author for your weblog. You have some really good articles and I think I would be a good asset. If you ever want to take some of the load off, I'd
absolutely love to write some material for your blog in exchange for a link
back to mine. Please send me an e-mail if interested.
Many thanks!

Review my homepage; Cambogia trim review

Anonymous said...

I all the time used to study paragraph in news papers but now as I am
a user of net so from now I am using net for articles
or reviews, thanks to web.

buy Le Parfait

Anonymous said...

It's an awesome article in support of all the internet visitors; they will get advantage from it I am sure.

my site :: Home Income Kit Reviews ()

Anonymous said...

This is my first time pay a quick visit at here and i am
really happy to read all at single place.


Feel free to surf to my blog - African Mango Wonder

Anonymous said...

I'll immediately grasp your rss feed as I can not find your email subscription hyperlink or e-newsletter service. Do you've any?
Kindly let me recognise so that I may subscribe.

Thanks.

Here is my site: Power Pump XL review