The National Association of Mothers’ Centers this week told a bipartisan U.S. Senate working group that a lack of flexibility in the workplace is punishing vast numbers of family caregivers in Colorado and the rest of the country. The group says many American workers are being harmed by public policy and a corporate culture forged in the middle of the last century, when “dad” went to work and “mom” cared for the kids at home.

“Bring us into the 21st century!” was the Mothers’ Centers organization’s message to the senators, who are looking into work/life reform. Executive director Linda Lisi Juergens says things have changed.

“There has been a change in the demographics of the way families are functioning, who is working, who is able to be home; and the policies and the corporate culture don’t support that,” Juergens said.

Juergens says workplace flexibility reform measures should not be viewed as running counter to the interests of businesses. She says studies show that companies that integrate flexibility into their corporate culture find it enhances employee morale and productivity.

“Regarding the companies that are the most effective, part of the characteristics of what make them effective is their flexibility in terms of their work force and what their work force needs,” she said.

While employers during an economic downturn see fewer reasons to worry about their workers leaving for jobs with better benefits, Juergens says when the expected upturn arrives, those who offer flexibility will profit in the long run.

The group’s Washington, D.C.-based blog has current posts about related legislation at www.womaninwashington.org.

— Colorado News Connection