Report Tracks Governmental Action on Workplace Flexibility

A report prepared by Institute for Women’s Policy Research (IWPR) and the Center for WorkLife Law at the University of California Hastings College of the Law reviews actions being taken by 21 high income countries aimed at increasing workers’ ability to change their working hours and arrangements to balance work and family, and facilitate lifelong learning and gradual retirement. According to "Statutory Routes to Workplace Flexibility in Cross-National Perspective", high-quality flexible work arrangements are still the exception in the U.S.

While the IWPR is primarily focused on laws enabling women to remain in the workforce, it found that 11 of the 21 countries surveyed allow reduced hours with partial pension prior to full retirement. Thus, for example, in Finland, from age 58 onwards, a reduction of usual full-time hours between 30% to 70% is possible with partial pension payments.

Source: Institute for Women’s Policy Research News Release (May 28, 2008)