Federal Family-Friendly Workplace Policies

Abstract

Women's work experiences continue to be characterized by metaphors such as glass ceilings, glass walls, sticky floors, and trap doors (Guy, 1995) To what extent do the implementation of flexble workplace policies and personnel practices improve women's work experience? This article attempts to answer this question as it relates to the utilization of family-friendly workplace policies within federal cabinet-level departments The authors examine how the Clinton administration's family-friendly initiatives are being operationalized in several departments, companng and contrasting these efforts in varying settings The authors conclude that—progressive federal legislation notwithstanding— significant barriers remain to the widespread implementation of such policies