Despite all the talk about family-friendly workplaces, women in particular can find it very difficult to find jobs that are genuinely family friendly.
Businesses and organisations should modify work programmes and tap into the army of women who would be happy to work for three or four hours a morning, from three to five mornings a week.
Such hours can prove attractive to mothers of young children. They can earn some money, keep in touch with the paid employment world, while still being free to collect children from playschool, or to shop unhindered by children, or do voluntary work on mornings not in paid employment.
But many women in this category still find the business community unreceptive to the gifts they offer.
Their skills, talents, education, commitment and work experience can go unused, while employers go on looking for that increasingly elusive full-time person.
It is apparent from studies and common sense, such women are likely to be committed, loyal and perhaps more effective workers than many full-time people because the job suits their commitment to a balanced lifestyle.
The recently launched website www.familyfriendly.ie could tempt some businesses to dip a toe into this ocean of potential local and loyal workers. If it leads more employers to recognise that all workers have a life beyond the workplace, full-time employees could also benefit from employers letting their minds and creativity surf this site.
It provides a comprehensive list and explanation of family friendly or work-life balanced work arrangements. It includes a clear and helpful extended section on frequently asked questions.
It provides useful links to related websites, gives a list of relevant publications and offers case studies of companies and organisations in Ireland, such as Intel, AIB and the Irish Nurses Organisation, who already operate work-life balance and family-friendly initiatives.
Mr Turlough O'Sullivan, director-general of IBEC, says in a statement on the site: "IBEC believes that family-friendly policies, if designed and managed correctly, can serve a dual purpose of contributing to the needs of the business as well as meeting the needs of employees with family responsibilities."
Mr Peter Cassells, general secretary of ICTU, says: "The world of work is a changing place with a variety of new and different pressures, not least of which is the need to balance work and family life.
"The growing numbers of women in the workforce means that more women and men are now striving to meet their job requirements, while also caring for their children, elderly parents and other members of the family."
jmarms@irish-times.ie
