Describes a German experiment whereby fulltime employees can work fewer hours without losing status and parttime employees have more options on allocations of working hours. The process ensures that management can count on enough staff for peak periods and more easily plan ahead. (JOW)

Job sharing, a new option in permanent part-time employment, is attracting national attention as a viable alternative to more traditional patterns of work. Job sharing is defined as an arrangement whereby two employees hold a position together, whether they are as a team jointly responsible for the whole or separately for each half, dividing time,…

An Australian survey examined the child care and working arrangements (part time, shift work, overtime) of 2,890 mothers. Differences in use of formal child care or unmet child care needs depended on children's ages and full-time/overtime status. Those working in nontraditional arrangements may be more likely to use informal child care. (SK)

The authors state that flexible scheduling of work will become more common as employers attempt to deal with changes in the labor supply. Types of flexibility and potential benefits are described. The authors present the steps in developing and implementing a flexible workplace plan. (CH)

More than 58 percent of all women working in the U.S. labor force, many of them sole supports of their families, and 67 percent of women with children under age 18 are working. Therefore, more flexible work options are being made to allow a balance of work and family. Increasingly available options include work at home, compressed workweeks,…

Flexible work schedules offer the promise of a low-cost option for helping people manage work and family responsibilities. Alternative work schedules include part-time work, job sharing, work sharing, shiftwork, compressed work week, flexitime, and flexiplace. Flexitime is the most prevalent full-time flexible schedule and is second in prevalence…

The increase in labor force participation of women, and particularly of mothers from two-parent families, has been accompanied by significant changes in family structures. Although the traditional family is no longer the norm, many social perspectives and policies reflect the belief that it is and do not meet the needs of dual-employed families.…

This report identifies the range and extent of innovative workplace practices in place among 16 international organizations participating in the International Workplace Studies Program (IWSP). Information comes from interviews with organization representatives, written reports, summaries prepared by the organizations, and an extensive literature…

This report presents the results of a survey of Association of Research Libraries (ARL) members about the current climate and practices regarding flexible work arrangements. Data are reported on the availability of schedule flexibility, job exchange, part-time arrangements, and leaves, as well as information about faculty status, tenure,…

Trends in gender, jobs, and working conditions in the European Union (EU) were examined. In 2000, representative samples of approximately 1,500 workers in each of the EU member states (500 in Luxembourg) were surveyed. To identify trends, the survey findings were compared with those of similar surveys conducted in 1991 and 1996. The comparison…

This kit is designed to help employers understand the range of family needs emerging in the workplace and the numerous options for a company response. An introduction discusses the need for child care services, dependent care problems, and how employers respond and benefit. Sections address the following: selecting the right option in relation to…

A survey of 205 people, 4 group interviews with approximately 30 people, and 6 design and analysis meetings involving approximately 40 people were conducted in a 1999 participatory study of contingent workers in Toronto. (Contingent work was defined to be lower-waged forms of non-permanent work arrangements that include contracting, employment…