House Committee on Education and Labor
U.S. House of Representatives

Labor Issues

Family-Friendly Workplaces

Today's working families face challenges unlike those of any previous generation.  Sixty percent of mothers with children under six are working outside the home.  The majority of families have not one parent working, but both parents working.

Republicans recognize that we need to update our laws so that they provide America’s families with more freedom in their jobs; greater health care and retirement security; safer communities; access to quality, affordable education; and the ability for their children to compete in the global economy.  We must also do more to take care of our military families.

One way to help today's families is the Family-Friendly Workplace Act, a bill introduced by Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers to give workers new flexibility and freedom to help balance the demands of work and family.  The Family-Friendly Workplace Act gives private sector workers the option of benefitting from additional paid time off as compensation for overtime worked - a benefit that goverment workers have enjoyed for more than 20 years.

Press Releases

Republicans Advocate Family-Friendly Workplace Policies, Caution Against Job-Killing Mandates (March 3, 2009)

McMorris Rodgers Proposes New Flexibility to Help Working Families (February 10, 2009)

McKeon Welcomes New Workplace Flexibility for Military Families (November 14, 2008)

Please click here for more Press Releases

Member Views

McMorris Rodgers Op-Ed on Townhall.com: A Mother's Day Gift from Congress (May 13, 2008)

Fact Sheets

Helping Working Families Achieve Balance: The Family-Friendly Workplace Act of 2009 (February 10, 2009)

Dear Colleagues

Families are Struggling to Balance the Demands of Work and Home -- Provide More Choices for Working Families! (June 11, 2008)

Committee Statements

Price Statement: Workforce Subcommittee Hearing on “Encouraging Family-Friendly Workplace Policies” (March 3, 2009)