Women, Work, and Family: How Companies Thrive With a 21st-century Multicultural Workforce

A sweeping collection of new essays gathers historical background, theoretical perspectives, and the latest research on integrating work and personal life in a multigenerational workforce.

A half-century after the women’s movement of the 1960s, women still have not achieved equality in the workplace, in part because the burdens of family still fall largely upon their shoulders. This in-depth review examines legislation, social-science research, and human resources management practices dealing with women’s integration of work and life roles. It explores the context and theory that explain new workplace trends and realities, and it offers practical recommendations on how women and companies can cope.

The book is based on the premise that to attract and retain top talent and be competitive in the 21st century, employers must redesign their organizations to meet the needs of employees. A sort of ＂paper mentor＂ for women, it spells out the myths and realities of combining employment with motherhood and a committed relationship. The expert essays are also a guide for corporations, intended to help them understand the necessity of easing women’s burdens--and nurturing their talent--through attention to work hours and to policies that can facilitate the integration of work and life roles.

Michele A. Paludi, PhD, is president of Human Resources Management Solutions and a developmental psychologist who specializes in career development and the psychology of workplaces.