    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1996, Book I)]
    [June 21, 1996]
    [Page 962]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    [[Page 962]]

    Memorandum on Family Friendly Work Arrangements
    June 21, 1996

    Memorandum for the Heads of Executive Departments and Agencies

    Subject: Implementing Federal Family Friendly Work Arrangements

        I continue to believe that honoring and supporting the concerns of
    family members in the workplace is vital to good government and to a
    productive work force. In order to build on its record of support for
    families in the Federal workplace, the executive branch must continue to
    examine its practices and to implement the goals of the Presidential
    Memorandum of July 11, 1994. The Federal Government must continue to set
    the pace in transforming the culture of the American workplace so that
    it supports employees who are devoted to their families.
        It is clear to me that whenever the Federal Government establishes a
    goal of providing civilian employees and military personnel with an
    environment supportive to families, the result is greater cost
    efficiency, increased worker commitment and productivity, better
    customer service, and improved family life.
        Therefore, today I am directing all executive departments and
    agencies to review their personnel practices and develop a plan of
    action to utilize the flexible policies already in place and, to the
    extent feasible, expand their ability to provide their employees:
        (1) assistance in securing safe, affordable quality child care;
        (2) elder care information and referral services;
        (3) flexible hours that will enable employees to schedule their work
    and meet the needs of their families. This includes encouragement to
    parents to attend school functions and events essential to their
    children;
        (4) opportunities to telecommute, when possible, and consistent with
    their responsibilities, to achieve the goal of 60,000 telecommuters by
    1998 as set by the President's Management Council. This includes
    telecommuting from home and from satellite locations;
        (5) policies and procedures that promote active inclusion of fathers
    as well as mothers;
        (6) an effective mechanism by which employees can suggest new
    practices that strengthen families and provide for a more productive
    work environment; and
        (7) leadership and participation in these policies and programs at
    the highest level of the agency.
        The departments and agencies shall provide an initial report on the
    results of this review to the Vice President through the National
    Performance Review within 120 days of the date of this memorandum. This
    report should include an assessment of progress made towards specific
    goals and include innovative approaches and detailed success stories.
        The National Performance Review, together with the Domestic Policy
    Council, the President's Management Council Working Group on
    Telecommuting, the Office of Personnel Management, and the General
    Services Administration will continue to work with the executive
    agencies as we move forward together to increase productivity through
    family friendly work environments.

                                                          William J. Clinton

    Note: This memorandum was released by the Office of the Press Secretary
    on June 24.