EMPLOYER RESPONSIVENESS/POLICY

Question 1

Lecture:

12.Bowen model—what affected the outcomes?

Answer 1

-Personal needs (age, dependents),
-expectations
-beliefs
= outcomes at home and at work.

-This acts as a feedback loop.
–>Productive, satisfied workers provide
positive feedback to decision-making
at work.

Question 2

13.What is corporate culture?

Answer 2

A SHARED SET OF BELIEFS and expectations that shape the behavior of groups and individuals in organizations.

Question 3

14.What are the three stages of the “Evolution of Work/Family programs & what are the characteristics of each stage?

Answer 3

• Stage1 Programmatic Response- Considered a women’s issue. Separate not integrated. (Example child care)
• Stage2 Integrated Response- Move beyond childcare-HR person has responsibility-Package of several policies.
• Stage3 Changed culture- Life cycle approach to work issues-Entire workplace more flexible-Strategically linked to planning-Rarely occurs

Question 4

15.FMLA—what are two primary requirements to qualify?

Answer 4

1. ) Have worked for that employer for at least 12 months
2. ) Work at a location where at least 50 employees are employed

    **Most women work for companies that
      employ less than 50 employees
      causing a problem.
        -->Not paid.
        -->Very ineffective

Question 5

16. How would you describe most benefits plans held by U. S.workers?

Answer 5

• Not as many benefits as other countries
• Some of our plans are more traditional family oriented. Men being the breadwinner.

-Cafeteria Style benefits are more equitable
-If an employer files bankruptcy does
NOT need to honor benefit packages

Question 6

17. Top 100 companies to work for: which company had been onthe list the longest?

Following group discussion, what characteristics/themes were identified?

Answer 6

-IBM and Johnson & Johnson on the list the longest.

• Benefits like health, retirement
• flextime.
• Being Green

Question 7

Articles/H & B text:

18.NCFR F4—what did Andrews identify as the real problem with work-friendly programs?

Answer 7

• NOT family-friendly programs.

- They are CORPORATE BARRICADES designed to minimize the interference of family care taking duties in the workplace.

Question 8

Articles/H & B text:

19.Chap. 9—Family friendly workplace. What was the primary recommendation made?

Answer 8

• NEED A HOLISTIC-NEW MODEL

- the things doing not working for everyone

Question 9

Articles/H & B text:

20. Chap 14—dual earner/dual career society.

What is the problem associated with private solutions to work/family issues?

Answer 9

-Problem with private solutions = they reinforce gender and inequalities

Question 10

Articles/H & B text:
22.Chap. 10—changes in support of worker-friendly policies.

What 3 factors most affected support for family policies?

Answer 10

1. ) gender
2. ) union membership
3. ) political party

Question 11

23. Hochschild (2000):

Why are some workers reluctant to take full advantage of work life programs?

Answer 11

• Some feel that being at work is LESS stressful than being at home & they get more support at work
• women usually have LESS support at home versus at work.

Question 12

What are the three stages of the “Evolution of Work/Family programs?

Answer 12

• Stage 1) Programmatic Response
• Stage 2) Integrated Response
• Stage 3) Changed culture

Question 13

Articles/H & B text:

21.Chap 14—dual earner/dual career society.

Comparing industrialized nations, which group of countries was most “Family friendly?”

Answer 13

-Social democratic countries- northern european countries

• Netherlands
• Denmark
• Finland,
• Norway
• Sweden