In a nation where 44 million workers don't have a single paid sick day, it's time for workplaces to get real.
When an employee is penalized -- or even fired -- for leaving his or her factory job early to care for an elderly parent, it's time to take a hard look at what went wrong.
And for the millions of parents who scramble for a safety net when rigid work schedules conflict with snow days or school closings, it's time for change.
The Obama administration has rolled up its sleeves and flexed real muscle. But as every person who navigates work and home life knows, there's still plenty of work to be done.
Here is an overview of how Michelle Obama, who has adopted work-life balance as one of her platforms as first lady, is focusing some of her efforts:
Forum on Workplace Flexibility a First in History
In March 2010, President Barack, Michelle Obama, and the White House Council on Women and Girls hosted the pioneering initiative White House Forum on Workplace Flexibility.
C.E.O's, small-business owners, workers, academics, and advocacy groups gathered to take the microphone on what a White House press release described as "the importance of creating workplace practices that allow America's working men and women to meet the demands of their jobs without sacrificing the needs of their families."
"Flexible policies actually make employees more - not less - productive," Mrs. Obama said, addressing business leaders. "Instead of spending time worrying about what's happening at home, your employees have the support and the peace of mind they desperately need to concentrate on work."
Support, the first lady emphasized, that creates a win-win scenario for both families and the bottom line.
For the Record: Study upon study echo Mrs. Obama's words. The Families and Work Institute (FYI), for example, reports that employees in "effective and flexible workplaces" are more likely to be engaged in their jobs. They feel inspired to help their companies succeed. And workers say they have a greater desire to remain with their employer.
FYI research indicates they're healthier, too -- both physically and mentally: Workers who use their flex time to their best advantage have better overall health; experience less frequent minor health issues; and have lower stress levels and fewer signs of depression.
Calling for a Cultural Shift: Still, all is not rosy. Despite the potential benefits, many workers worry that tapping into flexible schedule options could hinder their job advancement. In many cases, these fears are indeed borne out: According to Families and Work Institute, 39% of workers who use such options are less likely to move up the career ladder.
In worst-case scenarios, employees may even risk losing their jobs.
The Bottom Line: To help attract and retain a more productive, committed staff and remain competitive in tomorrow's job market, the Obama administration urges companies to embrace workplace flexibility as part and parcel of America's modern business model - and support their employees in making it work.
Breaking Down Breastfeeding Barriers at Work
In February 2010, Michelle Obama started the ball rolling on her nationwide "Let's Move" anti-obesity campaign, a community outreach effort to help children and families focus on nutrition, fitness, and maintaining a healthy weight.
As part of the initiative, the administration has aimed a spotlight on the significant health benefits of breastfeeding, including reduced risk for sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), childhood leukemia, infection, and childhood obesity in babies; and lowering the risk for certain cancers and diabetes in mothers.
But in offices and factories across the U.S., many women who choose to nurse do not have access to clean, private areas to express milk. Their only recourse is to rely on unhygienic restroom stalls or other public spaces.
As a result, many moms stop breastfeeding after returning to the job. In an official post at www.Whitehouse.gov, White House senior advisor Valerie Jarrett broke down the statistics: "While 75% of women initially breastfeed their baby, after six months only 43% are still breastfeeding at all."
In a landmark decision in February 2011, the Internal Revenue Service ruled that breast pumps and other nursing supplies will be tax-deductible and qualify as medical care expenses under section 213(d) of the Internal Revenue Code.
Breastfeeding equipment can be purchased using money in pre-tax spending accounts. Women without flexible spending accounts may deduct the cost of nursing equipment if their total medical costs exceed 7.5 percent of their adjusted gross income.
Healthy Families Act
"Staying home to care for a sick child or taking an elderly parent to a doctor's appointment shouldn't mean risking one's job," Michelle Obama stressed, endorsing the Healthy Families Act in an appearance before the Department of Labor in January 2010. "Things like paid family leave and sick days and affordable child care should be the norm, not the exception."
Under this bill, employees of organizations with 15 or more workers would have the right to earn a paid hour of sick time for every 30 hours worked, up to 7 days per year. Tens of millions of workers currently without paid sick time would benefit. Employees could use this time to recover from illness, access preventive care, tend to a sick relative or seek help for domestic violence, stalking, or sexual assault.