Bill Would Create Award for Employers that Implement Work-Life Balance Policies

Working mother on cell phone holding childrenReps. Lynn Woolsey (D-CA) and George Miller (D-CA) have introduced legislation that would establish an award for employers that develop and implement work-life balance policies, defined in the bill as workplace practices “designed to enable employees to achieve a satisfactory work-life balance.” The Work-Life Balance Award Act (H.R. 4855) would direct the Department of Labor (DOL) to create a work-life balance advisory board to develop criteria that employers would need to meet in order to qualify and apply for the award.

Rep. Woolsey has introduced a number of bills promoting work/family balance this legislative term, including the Balancing Act of 2009 (H.R. 3047), a bill that combines a number of provisions from previously-introduced family and medical leave legislation. Rep. Miller, Chairman of the House Committee on Education and Labor, has also been instrumental in pushing work/family balance legislation, such as the Working Families Flexibility Act (H.R. 1274), which would give employees a statutory right to request flexible work terms and conditions.

The Work-Life Balance Award Act has been referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor. A hearing on this bill is scheduled for March 23, 2010 at 10:00 a.m. before the Subcommittee on Workforce Protections.

Photo credit: lovleah

Information contained in this publication is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice or opinion, nor is it a substitute for the professional judgment of an attorney.