Problem

• Incompatibility of work hours with private needs

Solution

• Offer flexible work arrangements

What can be done

• Create reduced hour jobs (part-time schedule)‏
  
• Provide flexible workdays by preparing non standard work arrangements, contracts
  
• Allow scheduling daily working hours with supervisors
  
• Facilitate work at home with tele-work
  
• Provide family emergency leave of up to 10 days to care for an immediate family or partner
  
• More conscious daily work planning for mothers, matching meetings with school and childcare hours
  
• "Un-bundle" projects to work streams which can be done by telecommuting or short stints at office
  
• Place offices near living areas
  
• Offer short term assistance programs (at no cost to employee) to counsel about work-life problems
  
• ‘Working parent network’ (share resources, service)‏

How to make it work / tips & tricks

• Change company policy that flexible work schedules would not affect opportunity for advancement [see ‘enablers’ template]
  
• Transform corporate culture and eliminate the stigma attached to using flexible work arrangements [see ‘promotion, enablers and image’ templates]
  
• Ensure flexible working schedules are transparent and well communicated to all employees (to inform themselves, ask specific questions, learn about what is working and not)‏
  
• Tele-working: Start with a simple pilot project, phase in more people and tailor the programme in response to employee feedback