Evaluation should include how policies are responding to local, national, and global trends in the following:
- Supportive services: availability, affordability, and ease of access to
- safe housing
- efficient transportation
- fresh and healthy foods
- quality child care
- Family-friendly benefits
- family and medical leave (e.g., paid parental leave, Family and Medical Leave Act [FMLA], bereavement leave)
- annual and personal leave
- health insurance and access to a variety of medical providers
- awareness of and access to disability, mental, and behavioral health services
- Employment trends
- the global economy and availability of career opportunities
- changes in work environments (e.g., telecommuting)
- values such as diversity and inclusion, workplace safety, and career growth.
Process/Skill Questions:
Thinking
- How do family-friendly policies also benefit employers?
- What state and federal laws are in place to protect families and provide essential services?
Communication
- In what ways can an employer indicate to others that the business is family-friendly?
- How can mental and behavioral health be promoted in the workplace?
Leadership
- What resources are available to those who want to change workplace policies?
- What are the benefits of flexible working hours, part-time work, job sharing, and telecommuting for both employers and employees?
Management
- How can management policies support diversity in the workplace?
- What barriers do employees and managers face when trying to improve workplace policies and attitudes in support of individuals and families?