News You Can Use: Looking out for the little guy

Providing personal and financial relief to working families is a concept that's grown in popularity, from President Obama on down -- even paving the way for several state mandates regarding work-life benefits like paid sick and family leave.

However, small businesses have unique concerns about such mandates and other legislative efforts to help working families, and to help policymakers better understand the small business perspective, the Sloan Work and Family Research Network at Boston College has released a new research mini-brief, "Work-Family Information on Small Businesses."

The mini-brief summarizes the small business viewpoint on work-family legislation, underscoring both the concerns of and benefits to small businesses. The mini-brief also provides statistics, suggested readings, and websites with more information.

“Small businesses are often lumped together with all businesses, and their unique strengths and limitations are not commonly recognized,” comments Julie Schwartz Weber, author of the mini-brief and Sloan Network policy specialist. “With 80% of all U.S. businesses having 20 or fewer employees, it is vital that legislators and advocates have a clear picture of how small businesses approach work and family issues. These new resources on small businesses are intended to provide that perspective.”

News You Can Use: President-elect sets ambitious work-life agenda

Among his many large scale goals, President-elect Barack Obama has set a high-flying work-life agenda, including a federal mandate for paid sick leave and expanding FMLA to encompass employers with 25 or more workers (current law applies to 50 or more), more purposes -- including children's school needs, and expand care to more family members.

Read more here from the Wall Street Journal about Obama's work-life proposals and others on the federal and state level.

Overheard At: Proactive engagement mitigates workplace conflict

Did you know that it costs 150% of an employee's annual salary to replace them? In today's Web-exclusive podcast, Richard Hart of Proactive Resolutions talks about how to get employees to proactively deal with difficult workplace situations and offers tips on how HR can mitigate potentially job-threatening situations before they get out of hand.

News You Can Use: Voters speak out on work-life

Sens. McCain and Obama, take note: A majority of workers want you to make work-life flexibility a priority during your presidency.

In a survey from Life Meets Work, 70% of employees say the next U.S. president should make flexible work options his greatest work-life priority, followed by equal pay and affordable child care.

In addition:
* 63% of employers and 78% of workers support the Working Families Flexibility Act, which would give every worker the right to request job flexibility and would require employers to respond to the request.
* 58% of workers support making caregivers a protected class from discrimination.

Although voters may be making their preferences known on a national level, work-life expert Ariane Hegewisch, study director at the Institute for Women’s Policy Research, says “There might be a way of trying to use states as pilots” for some paid leave and workplace flexibility initiatives.

See the upcoming December EBN for more of her comments and other trends and case studies in workplace flexibility. Meanwhile, download a podcast on how several companies are succeeding with work-life programs.

Tip of the Day: Take a lunch break - it's good for you

The average executive/manager lunch hour is a mere 35 minutes long, compared with 42 minutes in 2003, states new research from Office Team. On average, people work through lunch three days per week.

But breaks in general are important. Consider these tips from Office Team on how to effectively manage your time out:

• Plan your day. Schedule your break to fall between projects, if possible, and set morning deadlines for important tasks so you can relax over lunch.
• Schedule lunch with colleagues. During a busy period, change a team meeting to a working lunch outside the office. The time away will improve your energy while maintaining productivity.
• Book an appointment. Block off your online calendar so coworkers don't schedule calls or meetings during that time. Be flexible, though, if there are no other options.
• Step away from the desk. If you are unable to leave your building for lunch, take a walk around the office. If possible, eat in the lunch room or break area with colleagues.
• Put work aside. If you have to be near your computer or phone, face your chair away and do a nonwork activity, such as reading a newspaper or magazine.

News You Can Use: National Work and Family Month introduced in House

Congress has introduced a resolution (H. Res 1440) to declare October "National Work and Family Month." The bill is sponsored by Rep. Carolyn McCarthy (D-N.Y.) and Rep. Todd Russell Platts (R., Pa.) and hopes to raise awareness among employers about the importance of establishing a business case for work-life balance.

Tip of the Day

Is adding meditation to your company’s wellness program the way to increase employee well being and productivity? Absolutely, says author Diana Lang, who recently spoke with EBN. Read her take on how to improve your work, life and company through meditation in the Sept. 1 issue.

News You Can Use: Pet care a valued benefit

Nearly half (43%) of employees say they would use employer-sponsored services to find pet care if offered, states a new survey from Workplace Options. Three in five American workers own pets.

"Offering pet care resources and other convenience services is a great way for companies to reduce workers' stress about everyday demands and make them feel good about their workplace," said Dean Debnam, chief executive officer for WPO. "Convenience services are a smart investment that pays off for employers in the long run."

Okay, so it's not a hardcore benefit like LTC or life insurance. But who says Rover and Princess don't deserve benefits too? After all, they're members of your family. If you want more information, see this recent article in Employee Benefit News: Trends in veterinary care secure the staying power of pet insurance.

Tip of the Day

Learn from some of the biggest employer names in how to craft an effective work-life benefits program. Companies like RSM McGladrey, KPMG and Ernst & Young offer their insight on how to help employees bring work and life into balance.