The nation’s top work/family expert today praised Representatives Lynn Woolsey (D-CA) and George Miller (D-CA) for introducing legislation in the House of Representatives that would provide an annual award from the U.S. Secretary of Labor to an employer that adopts policies and practices that help employees meet the dual demands of work and family. The Work-Life Balance Award Act of 2010 would honor a private sector, state or local government employer that adopts strong policies to help employees meet work and family obligations.

“At a time when so many families are struggling to achieve economic security, and caregiving and elder care responsibilities are increasing, we need many more businesses to adopt workplace policies that help workers meet these demands,” said National Partnership for Women & Families President Debra L. Ness. “This kind of award, given by the Secretary of Labor, can be a powerful incentive for companies to adopt the kind of policies that help employees, build staff loyalty and ultimately help the bottom line by helping employers avoid costs associated with turnover and training new employees. Employers that adopt family-friendly policies deserve recognition. We support this legislation, and thank its sponsors for being champions for working families. We urge the House to move quickly to pass it.”

Congress is currently considering several other work-family bills, including the Healthy Families Act which would provide a minimum federal standard of paid sick days, and Congresswoman Woolsey’s FIRST (Family Income to Respond to Significant Transitions) Act, which would authorize $1.5 billion for states to use to seed new programs or bolster existing paid leave programs, or for incentives to small businesses to provide job protection to employees who need leave.