Beyond Work-Family Balance: Advancing Gender Equity and Workplace Performance

A welcome contribution to theory and practice, this volume describes aprogram developed by the authors (academics and professionals experienced in the work/family and organizational behavior fields) to create a more equitable and satisfying workplace. Their program is different in that it attempts to tie together two organizational goals usually tackled separately: improving the bottom line and improving employees' ability to manage their work and personal lives. The authors' underlying beliefs that work and family life should be integrated and that when it is, gender and diversity issues will be addressed and employees will be more effective contributors to their organizations. When it is not integrated, management often experiences costs without productivity gains, while employees often feel work/family initiatives have not been successful. The authors detail actions taken in several consulting assignments with various companies, sharing surveys and meeting agendas. They describe a process that includes many discussions, frequent feedback, and reevaluation. Problems andfailures as well as successes are reported. Clients are assisted inunderstanding assumptions associated with work needs, personal requirements, communication methods, outcome measurements, and rewards. The ideas presented in this volume are provocative and the suggestions realistically appraised. Recommended for graduate, research, and professional collections.
-- F. Reitman, Pace University

"This book should be read by anyone who would like to (or needs to!) reflect on the universal work-life challenges, which are not exclusively women's but apply equally to men. Companies and other organizations wanting to succeed and survive both now and in the future will, without doubt, benefit from an increased awareness of these challenges and of the many myths which surround effectiveness and productivity in the workplace— myths which tend to persist in spite of the dramatic changes in both the workplace and the workforce." —Ragnhild Sohlberg, vice president, corporate staff, Norsk Hydro ASA, Oslo, Norway

"Demonstrates convincingly that it is possible to have both gender equity and improved workplace performance— the 'Dual Agenda.' The authors' detailed description of their action research methodology and its impact on culture change in organizations breaks important new ground. This book will be of great interest to practicing managers, researchers, and consultants concerned with improving overall organizational effectiveness." —Edgar H. Schein, Sloan Fellows Professor of Management Emeritus, Massachusetts Institute of Technology Sloan School of Management

"If ever there was a book that goes beyond surface realities and uncovers assumptions about how jobs get done and what kind of performances are valued, this is it! Probes issues of organizational effectiveness, diversity, and work life with uncommon clarity and insight. What's more, it provides guidance on how to improve company performance as well as the lives of employees on and off the job." —Ellen Galinsky, president, Families and Work Institute and author of Ask the Children: The Breakthrough Study That Reveals How to Succeed at Work and Parenting

"There has never been a greater need for organizational effectiveness or for productive and motivated people. This book goes to the heart of that issue, so critical as we seek a new model for doing business. Xerox is proud to have been on the ground floor of this seminal research." —Anne Mulcahy, CEO, Xerox Corporation

"As a financial executive, husband, and father, I found Beyond Word-Family Balance to be very helpful in addressing key dilemmas that I face. Business leaders who are striving to increase shareholder value while maintaining employee satisfaction will find it a valuable addition to their tool kit. My experience is that work-personal life integration and gender equity can be attained in a manner that makes this a win-win for the employees and the company. It is time for the business community to embrace the messages and approaches in this book." —David E. Meador, Senior VP and Chief Financial Officer, DTE Energy

"Beyond Work-Family Balance" demonstrates convincingly that it is possible to have both gender equity and improved workplace performance—the "Dual Agenda." The authors' detailed description of their action research methodology and its impact on culture change in organizations breaks important new ground. This book will be of great interest to practicing managers, researchers and consultants concerned with improving overall organizational effectiveness. —Edgar H. Schein, Sloan Fellows Professor of Management Emeritus, MIT Sloan School of Management