civil justice clinic, sandra day o’connor college of law a world of thanks to the following asu...
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Civil Justice Clinic, Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law
A world of thanks to the following ASU Civil Justice Clinic students and staff:• Linda Day (Fall 2010)• Andrea Esquer and Megan Evans (Summer 10)• MacKenzie Deal and Greg Fetterman (Spring 10)• Meghan McCauley (Fall 09) • Zelda Graham, Karen Barnett, and Christine Foote
Leading by Example: Workplace Flexibility Lessons
From State and Local Government
New America FoundationDecember 1, 2010
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Released May 13, 2009
Principal Policy Recommendation:
integrating FWAs into the workplace as standard operating procedure for doing business requires a commitment from all levels of government, and from the private sectors, in a comprehensive, not scattershot campaign
5 prongs in WF2010’s platform:Make the Case
Lay the Groundwork
Invest in Innovation
Lead by Example
Create an Infrastructure
Civil Justice Clinic, Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law
White House Forum on
Workplace FlexibilityMarch 31, 2010
“Workplace flexibility isn’t just a women’s issue. It’s an issue that affects the well-being of our families and the success of our businesses. It affects the strength of our economy…”
“We’re also committed to practicing what we preach and serving as a model for the policies that we’re encouraging. ”
— President Obama, March 31, 2010http://www.whitehouse.gov/photos-and-video/video/forum-workplace-flexibility-closing-session
Post Forum – The Conversation Continues:
National Dialogue on Workplace Flexibility
Arizona Michigan
AZDOA, 2009 Workforce Report MICH. CIV. SERV. COMM’N, ANNUAL WORKFORCE REPORT THIRD QUARTER 4 (2008-09)
A Sampling of the FWA Framework in Arizona• Scheduling FWAs are allowed with supervisor permission.
• FWAs that relate to amount of hours worked include approved shared work-share unemployment insurance.
• FWAs with respect to location of work are heavily emphasized.
Executive Orders from 1993, 1996, 2002, and 2003:→ Created the State of Arizona Telecommuting Program→ Created targeted (and increasingly larger) goal of %age
of employees activity telecommuting → Created to reduce air pollution and gas consumption as
well as increase employee productivity and morale.
Civil Justice Clinic, Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law
• Governor Granholm has promoted the use of FWAs
→ July 2008 letter to state agencies asks directors “to support the spirit of flexibility and innovation.”
→ Promotes FWAs to address rising gas prices, a down economy and efforts to help employees manage busy schedules and long commutes, with the target goal of lowering business and commuting expenses.
FWAs in Michigan’s State Workforce
Civil Justice Clinic, Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law
Every CBA with the state contains FWA provisions. Vary per contract, but include provisions for:→ Allowing covered employees to request a scheduling FWA; the
state has unlimited discretion to establish, modify or eliminate it.→ Flexibility with work start and stop times→Temporary changes in shift times→Voluntary scheduling adjustments to work part of the year at a
full-time schedule or work on a part-time schedule for the entire year on a mutually-agreed-upon basis
KEY OBSERVATIONS:
• Workplace flexibility provides multiple benefits to states as employers, to state employees and to the community.
• Workplace flexibility helps the government respond to problems as they arise.
• Successful model flexibility programs exist and can be replicated by others.
• Leadership is a critical component of successful workplace for states as employers.
A local story: City Hours of Operation (4 for Mesa)
“City Hall and administrative services are now open Monday-Thursday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. (closed Fridays) to offer services to you in the early mornings and evenings. This is part of an effort to maximize limited resources and to enhance customer service accessibility.”
Contact Information:
Marcy KarinAssociate Clinical Professor
Director, Work – Life Policy UnitCivil Justice Clinic