ajcjobs > BlogBreak > Archives > 2006 > November > 30
Thursday, November 30, 2006
Dads need flexibility too!
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I would suspect that there are countless number of men from the baby boomer age group who missed out on seeing their children participate in sporting events and other extra curricular activities while growing up. The generation X and Y parents are helping to change the rules of society.
Many companies are getting better at implementing work-life balance practices in the workplace. Allowing for flexible schedules, discretionary days, and shared job responsibilities has been a growing trend, however, mostly for women. In recent years, companies are starting to address the needs of fathers. One example is providing paternity leave for fathers with new born children.
According to a survey conducted by the Economic and Social Research Council, published by WorldatWork and funded by the University of Bristol, England, men who become fathers today, are not seeking shorter work days, but they do desire to have the opportunity to take time off from work to participate in activities involving their children such as parent-teacher meetings, school plays, sporting events, etc.
In many families today, the mother and the father both work and may have professional careers. Companies that are flexible and have strong work-life practices will be more successful in attracting the fathers and mothers of the future. In the future, dads will need to have the same flexibility as moms.
