WLH News Room

The White House Forum on Workplace Flexibility March 31, 2010

Media Release

It is often said that to effect real cultural change in an organization or community, you need to have the full support of senior leaders. For those of us who have been working to create supportive work environments, strengthen families and build healthy communities, we now have that support from the First Family of the United States, the Office of the President, and the President’s Council of Economic Advisors.

Last week The White House hosted a forum on Workplace Flexibility attended by approximately 100 business leaders, government officials, policy advocates, union representatives, and researchers. There were almost as many men as women at the event. Typically at events focused on workplace flexibility or work-life most of the participants are women.

“There are those that offer flexibility and those that will,” said John Berry, Director of Office of Personnel Management. Mr Berry introduced the President, or the US Teleworker-in-Chief, to talk about “the importance of harnessing the benefits of the flexibility revolution for both productivity and work-life balance”.

At the forum, The Executive Office of the President and the Council of Economic Advisors released Work-Life Balance and the Economics of Workplace Flexibility. Cecilia Rouse, a member of the Council of Economic Advisers, offered her comments.

The business case has been made, the data assembled, the stories shared, the arguments made, and best practices identified. Flex is the new way of working, new of thinking, the new way of measuring productivity, the new way to manage today’s diverse workforce.

Twitter Feeds

See real time summary via Twitter feeds posted by Nora Spinks during the event.

Media Talking Points

White House Forum on Workplace Flexibility Summary
(prepared by Nora Spinks)

Workplace flexibility not just a women's issue; it is an employee, employer, social and economic issue. – President Obama
Flex is a business imperative, not a benefit, accommodation or privilege for a few.
Flex is about not about finding the perfect solution, it about finding the right strategy.
Flex starts with open, honest, and courageous conversations.
Flex is about trust not policies. When employees are treated like adults, they act like adults.
Flex is about working effectively, not just more hours or different hours.
Flex looks different in small business and/or with hourly employees but is equally important to employers, families and society.
Flex to work needs employees to feel safe, not scared to have the conversation with supervisors.
Flex is valued by fathers and sons, mothers and daughters, grandmothers and grandfathers as well as employees with no family responsibilities.
Flex is the right thing to do, the smart thing to do...Companies with flexible work arrangements have lower absenteeism, higher productivity and healthier employees – President Obama.

Nora is available for interviews.

Forum Video Footage

The First Lady Michelle Obama opened the forum -
Video of opening remarks

President Obama gave the closing remarks -
Video of closing remarks