(Washington, D.C.) Today, Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers introduced legislation that gives working family members more flexibility during their workweek.

The “Family-Friendly Workplace Act" (H.R. 6025) gives families the option to make choices that work best for them as well as meet the needs of our 21st century workforce. It gives employers the option of offering employees the choice of paid time off in lieu of cash wages for overtime hours worked if the employee prefers to take compensatory time instead of overtime pay. Instead of paid overtime, that employee could choose comp-time and take that time to care for an elderly parent or meet the needs of their kids. An employee would always be entitled to opt for overtime cash wages.

“Time is one of our most precious resources. We all want more of it and yet we only have 24 hours in a day. That means we have to figure out how to work a full day, run errands, pack lunches, make dinner and spend quality time with our kids, spouse, or elderly parent,” McMorris Rodgers says. “Giving employees more flexibility in their workweek is key to increasing retention as well as attracting great employees that will help increase our country's competitiveness.”

A long list of businesses who recognize the value of giving their employees more flexibility support the measure, including the American Hospital Association, the National Federation of Independent Businesses and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

“The dynamic of the American workforce will continue changing dramatically the next few generations, as one worker enters the job market for every two that leave. Business is looking at non-monetary benefits to recruit and retain highly-skilled workers,” Amy Johnson, Vice President of Workforce Development at Greater Spokane Incorporated said. “The Family Friendly Workplace Act is one tool businesses can use to recruit the desired workforce and remain competitive in today’s global economy.”

Spokane-area businesses and their employees like Telect, KidCentric, Farm Services Credit Union, Provisional Staffing and Inland Northwest Health Services (INHS) already benefit from flexible workplace options.

"With more than 1000 employees in the Greater Spokane region, Inland Northwest Health Services (INHS) understands the importance of providing flexibility in the workplace," said Nancy Vorhees, chief operating officer of INHS. "Our employees have told us how much they value flexibility and see it as an additional benefit."

Contact:
Destry Henderson
202-225-2006
202-279-0418