Louisville Participating in Workplace Flexibility Study

Back in January I linked to a Fast Company blog post about comparing how the states of New York and Kentucky are dealing with flexibility and innovation regarding workers and work life. The point of the piece was that some programs in Kentucky are actively trying to embrace a culture of flexibility because it's good for workers as well as business. Now the city of Louisville is getting aboard the flexibility movement.

Quoting Business First

Louisville is one of 30 cities that have been chosen to participate in When Work Works, a national research project on workplace flexibility.

The project is run by the Families and Work Institute, the Twiga Foundation and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's Institute for a Competitive Workforce. Locally, it will be managed by Greater Louisville Inc., the metro chamber of commerce.

As part of the program, GLI will hold educational forums on workplace flexibility and When Work Works will provide research reports and business toolkits to help guide companies in implementing flexible work practices.

Louisville employers also are eligible to apply for the Alfred P. Sloan Awards for Business Excellence in Workplace Flexibility, which recognize organizations that are using flexible work practices to improve workplace effectiveness.

I think as a culture we pay far too little attention to worker happiness and work/life balance issues. I'm excited that Louisville is getting the chance to participate in a project like this one that is focusing on such issues and how more workplace flexibility can improve the lives of workers and benefit business.