Bernadette Fusaro's Remarks

Testimony of Bernadette Fusaro
Friday October 31, 2003
Dirksen Senate Office Building
Take Care Net Launch

The demographics of today’s workforce mirror the changes that have occurred in society. There are many dual income families, single parents, “sandwich generation” individuals with both childcare and eldercare responsibilities, and younger workers who are very concerned about quality of life issues. For the past 20 years, business has been addressing the needs of these workers through a myriad of programs and policies designed to help employees meet their business and personal responsibilities.

Programs available at many companies include some or all of the following:

• Resource and Referrral Services - professional counselors advise on and provide referrals to child and elder care programs and services saving employees time and reducing stress.
• Backup Childcare Programs - childcare that helps parents when their regular childcare is unavailable.
• School Holiday Programs - programs for school-age children.
• On-site Childcare - full service childcare at corporate worksites.
• Childcare Discounts/Vouchers - financial help for employees to help pay for childcare.
• Lunchtime Seminars on work/life issues such as parenting, eldercare, financial management, stress management.
• On-site Wellness programs.
• Flexible Work Arrangements such as telecommuting, compressed work weeks, flexible work hours, part-time, job sharing.

Companies have found that these programs provide a bottom-line benefit in terms of reduced absenteeism, turnover, increased productivity, and enhanced recruiting and retention benefits. According to the 1997 National Study of the Changing Workforce, “The quality of worker’s jobs and the supportiveness of their workplaces are the most powerful predictors of productivity, job satisfaction, commitment to their employers and retention.

However there are two compelling issues related to the role of big business in America. One is that business cannot do it alone – there is a need for business to partner with government to make systemic changes in the quality of childcare available across the U.S. The second issue is that the majority of Americans do not work for big corporations so there is a need for programs and policies that will support all workers.

There is an organization that was formed to bridge the gap between business and government called “Corporate Voices for Working Families”. Corporate Voices for Working Families is a non-partisan, non-profit corporate membership organization created to bring the private sector voice into the public dialogue on issues affecting working families. In order to address the needs of working families, it is critical that business and government work together to create a working environment that can support the needs of employees today.

For more information, contact Bernade"tte Fusaro, bernfusaro@yahoo.com.