SRES 210 ATS
108th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. RES. 210
Expressing the sense of the Senate that supporting a balance between work and personal life is in the best interest of national worker productivity, and that the President should issue a proclamation designating October as 'National Work and Family Month'.

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
July 31 (legislative day, JULY 21), 2003
Mr. HATCH (for himself, Mr. KENNEDY, Mr. DODD, Mr. ALEXANDER, Mr. LUGAR, Mr. LIEBERMAN, Mr. KERRY, Mr. LAUTENBERG, Ms. LANDRIEU, Ms. MURKOWSKI, Mr. JEFFORDS, Mr. SARBANES, and Mr. SCHUMER) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary

September 5, 2003
Considered and agreed to

RESOLUTION
Expressing the sense of the Senate that supporting a balance between work and personal life is in the best interest of national worker productivity, and that the President should issue a proclamation designating October of 2003 as 'National Work and Family Month'.

Whereas the quality of workers' jobs and the supportiveness of their workplaces are key predictors of job productivity, job satisfaction, commitment to employers, and retention;

Whereas there is a clear link between work-family policies and lower absenteeism;

Whereas the more overworked employees feel, the more likely they are to report making mistakes, feel anger and resentment toward employers and coworkers, and look for a new job;

Whereas employees who feel overworked tend to feel less successful in their relationships with their spouses, children, and friends, and tend to neglect themselves, feel less healthy, and feel more stress;

Whereas 85 percent of U.S. wage and salaried workers have immediate, day-to-day family responsibilities off the job;

Whereas 46 percent of wage and salaried workers are parents with children under the age of 18 who live with them at least half-time;

Whereas job flexibility allows parents to be more involved in their children's lives, and parental involvement is associated with children's higher achievement in language and mathematics, improved behavior, greater academic persistence, and lower dropout rates;

Whereas a lack of job flexibility for working parents negatively affects children's health in ways that range from children being unable to make needed doctors' appointments, to children receiving inadequate early care, leading to more severe and prolonged illness;

Whereas nearly one out of every four Americans--over 45 million Americans--provided or arranged care for a family member or friend in the past year;

Whereas nearly all working adults are concerned about spending more time with their immediate family; and

Whereas as an increasing number of baby boomers reach retirement age in record numbers, more and more Americans are faced with the challenge of caring for older parents: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That--
(1) it is the sense of the Senate that--
(A) reducing the conflict between work and family life should be a national priority; and
(B) the month of October of 2003 should be designated as 'National Work and Family Month'; and
(2) the Senate requests that the President issue a proclamation calling upon the people of the United States to observe 'National Work and Family Month' with appropriate ceremonies and activities.