Will Laws Help?

I firmly believe the way to create change in the working world is for parents to begin demanding the work flexibility and support they need. In my opinion, as parents begin demanding flexibility, companies will start providing it in order to attract and retain a talented workforce. Further, as companies see the pay-off in increased worker loyalty and productivity, they will begin to expand the options to all workers.

However, I do acknowledge the role that our legislative system may play in advancing the cause of working parents. In fact, I am beginning to believe that some appropriate legislation may be the push employers need to start offering flexibility. For example, the UK’s workplace flexibility law, passed in 2003, has started to see some positive effects. The law requires flexibility options for certain workers with children under the age of six, and the law was extended for those who care for elders in 2006. The law may also be expanded to include more parents as companies have begun to realize the benefits of providing flexible work (see article here). Interestingly, support for the law is one of the few things their two major political parties agree upon.

There are several grassroots groups pushing for work/family legislation such as MomsRising.org. Efforts by this and other groups may be starting to pay off as individual states push through laws that benefit working parents. California and other states have already extended parental leave laws, and Indiana is considering offering tax benefits for companies that provide child care and also a bill that provides paid leave for parents attending school conferences (see article here).