[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 37 (Tuesday, March 3, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E529]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       THE INTRODUCTION OF THE WORKING FAMILIES' FLEXIBILITY ACT

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                        HON. CAROLYN B. MALONEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, March 3, 2009

  Mrs. MALONEY. Madam Speaker, I am pleased to introduce the Working 
Families' Flexibility Act, which will ensure that working Americans can 
ask their employer for modified schedules so they can balance the 
demands of their jobs and their home life.
  Modeled on successful legislation adopted in the United Kingdom, the 
legislation would give employees a right to request modification of 
their hours, schedule, or work location. It would require employers to 
seriously consider all such requests in a timely manner, and provide an 
explanation for requests that are denied. The bill also includes job 
protection for employees who make flexibility requests. Small 
businesses would be exempt from this bill, and the Department of Labor 
would be called upon to develop regulations for the flex-time process.
  This bill will raise awareness of the rising need for flexible work 
schedules, and will protect employees who are nervous about requesting 
a change in schedule. Called the ``soft-touch'' law in the UK, it would 
not place undue burden on businesses, it only asks that they evaluate 
these requests and provide a response explaining their decision, 
whatever it is. Adopting a flexible workplace has been shown to reduce 
turnover, which helps employers cut costs and retain valuable 
employees. In the UK, over 80 percent of requests have been approved 
and over 80 percent of employers report no adverse effect from the 
legislation.

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