Work in the 21st century is changing. Gone are the days of a 35-year tenure at one job with a retirement pension. Today’s workers are mobile, moving jobs on a more frequent basis. Layoffs and staff reductions are commonplace. Technology allows us to work anytime, anywhere. Even the concept of “retirement” is changing. We are
The Landscape of the Changing Workplace Read More »
One of the best ways to help employees achieve work/life balance is through flexible working arrangements. And as technology has increased the possibility of working anywhere and whenever, flexible work has become common. There are significant benefits to the employer when flexible arrangements are offered such as lower turnover and employees feeling empowered and in
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It is well established that companies with women in leadership positions do well overall. As women strive to achieve equality in the workplace, it has become clear that want and effort alone will not get the job done. Women account for fewer than 15% of Fortune 500 executives. Companies, finally beginning to realize that a
Creating a Gender-Diverse Workforce Read More »
Recently on the blog, we talked about the Paycheck Fairness Act, legislation that would have allowed gender-based wage disparities to be challenged and employers held accountable. On April 8, 2014, the act went up for a vote that would allow debate on the Senate floor, but didn’t pass. Senators voted along party lines: Democrats, yes,
Paycheck Fairness Act: What’s Next? Read More »
As the discussion around women in the workforce evolves from a mere awareness of the issue to a solutions-oriented discussion, one aspect of the debate deserves more examination: “the motherhood penalty.” A 2007 study at Cornell, titled “Getting a Job: Is There a Motherhood Penalty?” determined that there was in fact bias against mothers in
The Motherhood Penalty Read More »
In 1963, President John F. Kennedy signed the Equal Pay Act into law. The Paycheck Fairness Act (S. 84/H.R. 377), which aims to update 1963’s Equal Pay act, is building momentum in Congress, buoyed by Sen. Barbara Mikulski and Rep. Rosa DeLauro. The Paycheck Fairness Act passed the House overwhelmingly in 2009, but failed in
The Paycheck Fairness Act: More Progress to Equal Pay? Read More »
The concept of work life balance is one that often is bandied about, discussed on blogs, talk shows, and in magazines. Yet it seems that with all our chatter about this topic, we have it less than ever. Our lives are speeding up, powered by technology, fueled by 24/7 media, and we’re bringing our families
Work/Life Balance: Moving Beyond the Discussion Read More »
It’s graduation time around the country and, as everyone knows, an integral part of this rite of passage involves listening to commencement speeches filled with advice on living one’s best life and putting all of that recently acquired knowledge to good use. Although directed toward individuals at the outset of their careers, these guiding
Lessons to Lead By Read More »
In last Sunday’s New York Times, Erin Callan, the former chief financial officer of Lehman Brothers, wrote a compelling and candid opinion essay about the difficulties she faced balancing the intense demands of her job with her life. Confessions of a Workaholic Callan writes: “I didn’t start out with the goal of devoting all of myself
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Americans are working more hours than ever before, leaving many overstretched and overstressed. According to a report by the Center for American Progress, American families are working an average of 11 hours more per week than they did in 1979. Among all income sectors, highly skilled and well-compensated professionals have seen the sharpest increase in their
Can Fewer Hours Equal More Productivity? Read More »
