Kathie Lingle's Work-Life Blog

Both Presidential Candidates Have a Work-Life Plan of Action

October 13, 2008 — For the first time in history, both contenders for the American presidency have published statements that outline their respective positions on work-life issues. Activity on this front actually began a long time ago, when Hillary Clinton was competing for the Democratic nomination. It’s my impression that she was the first political candidate of either party to disseminate an official work-life platform; at any rate, hers was the first one I saw in printed form at some point last year. Obama’s followed, and then McCain’s, both of which are now publicly accessible.

There is some evidence that this might not simply be one of those feel-good paper excises that go nowhere. For one example, I’m sure it hasn’t escaped your attention that whenever Michelle Obama is interviewed (by Larry King last week), she never overlooks the opportunity to mention that one of her top priorities, if she were to serve as First Lady, would be to lend her active support to the daily juggling act of America’s working families. And if you are following my colleague’s blog that tracks all things legislative, there are several proposed bills cooling their heels in Congress, just waiting for attention.

Thanks to Ellen Galinsky and her staff at the Families and Work Institute (FWI), those of us most involved in the work-life profession have had the unique opportunity to participate in phone conferences with the senior policy advisors of the two Presidential candidates about the details of their work-life platforms. We were able to submit questions in advance that Ellen organized and asked the staffers directly while we listened, so we learned a great deal about what specific actions we might expect to see by each potential President. The gratifying take-away is that on this critical topic, there is going to be more forceful leadership than in the past no matter who occupies the White House. Of course, there are differences in both substance and approach. Visit FWI’s Web site to read the summaries of these conversations, and to learn firsthand about what all of us who work might anticipate when it comes to work-life progress. While you are there, be sure to read Ellen Galinsky’s own Background Call to Action.

A special thank you to Ellen and FWI for their gracious mention of National Work and Family Month in conjunction with the posting of this important and unprecedented information.

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of WorldatWork and its affiliate, Alliance for Work-Life Progress (AWLP).