WorldatWork Commends U.S. Senate for Recognizing October as "National Work and Family Month."

Washington, D.C. - The U.S. Senate unanimously approved Senate resolution 533 designating October 2012 as "National Work and Family Month." Senators Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) lead the effort to pass the bipartisan resolution. Senators Daniel Akaka (D-Hawaii), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Robert Casey (D-Pa.), Herb Kohl (D-Wisc.), and Patty Murray (D-Wash.) signed on as cosponsors.

 "WorldatWork applauds the Senate for passing this resolution recognizing the importance of working families in today's evolving workforce," said Cara Woodson Welch, WorldatWork Vice President, Public Policy and Public Affairs. "Members of working families currently compose the vast majority of today's labor force. In order for businesses, families and communities to thrive, employers and employees need to collaborate to find innovative ways to support work-life policies that make sense for their specific workplaces."

"National Work and Family Month" is a national campaign led by WorldatWork's Alliance for Work Life Progress designed to encourage employers, employees and communities across the nation to identify and discuss mutually beneficial work-life programs and policies. The month of October was first designated as "National Work and Family Month" in 2003.

"Employers utilizing work-life effectiveness programs report an increase in productivity, attraction, retention and higher levels of on-the-job employee satisfaction," said Senator Crapo. "This designation will encourage employers, employees and communities across our nation to discuss and work together on mutually-beneficial work-life programs and policies."

"Working families are the backbone of the American economy," said Senator Merkley.  "I'm proud that the Senate was able to come together to highlight the importance of work-life balance for our labor force by declaring October 2012 to be 'National Work and Family Month.'"

The goal of the month is to encourage businesses to consider workplace options that support working families. This October, WorldatWork's Alliance for Work Life Progress will promote tools to enable employers and employees to participate in National Work and Family Month. Employers and employees in both the public and private sector are encouraged to get involved and celebrate the importance of working families in today's workforce.