It's great but it can't stand on its own, companies should look at their culture and they should trace usage and be aware of whether or not it is actually being used.

Jennifer Owens

Categorized in : Business

Paul Ryan is reaching for the third most powerful job in the federal government while acknowledging the importance of Paul Ryan role as a parent. That is a message that will be heard loud and clear.

Sadly, paid leave and flexibility is still innovative for a lot o... by Jennifer Owens

Sadly, paid leave and flexibility is still innovative for a lot of employers in this country.

They are all watching, and they are all making changes. It's a great bandwagon for them to jump on, the bandwagon has to include things like corporate culture. There needs to be more than a big number on paper.

This is a great foundation and a tall foundation but I want them to build the house that goes around it. I want it to be OK that you can take all of this, you can offer it but if there is a stigma about using it, that doesn't help.

Men not only want flex, they are using it confidently -- in numbers that rival women, it means that workplace flex is no longer a working mother, or even a women's, issue. It's an everyone issue, which lends more fuel to the argument that flex works, no matter who you are.

For women, it's a really big deal to realize that the men on your team are flexing their schedules as well, when everybody's doing it, the women are less likely to be thought of as less committed to their work and careers just because they leave at 5 p.m. to pick up the kids from after-school programs a few times a week.