Title: Summarize local, national, and global policies, issues, and trends in the workplace and community that affect individuals and families.
Course: Introduction to Family and Human Services (19001-36) > Section: Balancing Work and Family

Summary should include how policies are responding to local, national, and global trends in

- availability, affordability, and safety of quality childcare
- family and medical leave, to include maternity/paternity leave
- annual and personal leave
- availability and cost of insurance and variety of service providers
- hiring practices and employment, to include discrimination issues and opportunities for growth
- the economy and availability of career opportunities (e.g., labor market report)
- changes in work environments (e.g., telecommuting)
- workplace expectations, to include safety and diversity
- mental health care.

Process/Skill Questions:

Thinking

- How much responsibility does an employer have to help workers balance their work and family roles?
- What are the benefits and risks of family-friendly policies and services from the perspective of management, and from the perspective of employees?
- What factors may influence the employer’s attitudes toward individual and family support? What factors may influence the worker’s attitudes?

Communication

- In what ways can an employer indicate to others that the business is family-friendly?
- Can a reputation for being family-friendly improve a company’s public reputation? Why or why not?
- What can a company expect from employees in return for individual and family support?

Leadership

- What leadership skills may help convince employers to improve workplace policies and attitudes to support individuals and families?
- How can the community work with businesses to help job seekers find employment?
- What are the benefits for employees and employers of flexible working hours, part-time work, job sharing, telecommuting?
- What kinds of workplace support strategies may exist in the future?

Management

- How can management policies support diversity in the workplace?
- How can one promote workplace policies and attitudes that support individuals and families?
- What barriers do employees and managers face when trying to improve workplace policies and attitudes in support of individuals and families?
- What resources are available to those who want to change workplace policies?