Nancy Lyons, Clockwork’s CEO, will be a panelist on the first-ever White House Summit on Working Families on Monday, June 23rd. The Summit, hosted by the White House, the Department of Labor, and the Center for American Progress, will explore how workplaces can accommodate the changing demographics of the U.S. workforce to support working families, boost businesses\u2019 bottom lines, and ensure America\u2019s global economic competitiveness in the future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cA growing number of working Americans \u2013 both men and women \u2013 struggle to balance the needs of their families with the responsibilities of their jobs,\u201d says the White House document explaining the Summit. \u201cYet while studies show that family-friendly workplace policies can actually enhance businesses\u2019 profitability, many companies report that they lack the tools and expertise to redesign their workplaces to capture this competitive advantage.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Since founding her company in 2002, Lyons has actively encouraged a work\/life balance among staff, starting with a \u201cone size doesn\u2019t fit all\u201d approach. Clockwork works to understand employees’ situations, professional goals and personal needs. From there, Clockwork offers flexible office hours, working remotely, free medical benefits and 401K matches. Innovations include the Babies at Work program to transition parents back from maternity\/paternity leave, and unlimited personal and vacation time. The effort has paid off: Clockwork\u2019s employee retention rate is consistently over 95%.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe recognize, prioritize, and focus on the whole family \u2013 parents and children \u2013 in how we operate and interact,\u201d explains Lyons. \u201cBy empowering and enabling employees to make decisions about their life and their work, we create autonomy and greater commitment, as well as a shared value system. Feeling good about home and work creates a positive environment, reduces stress and improves performance.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Summit will convene businesses, economists, labor leaders, legislators, advocates, and the media for a discussion on issues facing the entire spectrum of working families \u2013 from low-wage workers to corporate executives; from young parents to baby boomers caring for their own aging parents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Through keynote speeches, panel discussions, research presentations and hands-on workshops, the Summit will explore the challenges facing working families; make the business and economic case for policies that support working families; showcase companies doing exemplary work in this space; and highlight model laws and policies from cities and states across the country. The Summit will focus on key issues such as workplace flexibility, equal pay, workplace discrimination, worker retention and promotion, and childcare\/early childhood education.<\/p>\n\n\n\n