Work-life Profession Shows Signs of Recovery, Industry Survey Reveals
Large corporations are expanding their work-life staffs for the first time in two years, a survey by the Alliance for Work-Life Progress® (AWLP) and the newsletter Work/Life Today reveals.
"Overall, it appears that work-life is keeping pace with the economy as it emerges from the recession," notes Work/Life Today Publisher Sharon O'Malley.
Between spring 2003 and 2004, work-life staffs have doubled, finds the annual industry survey.
Still, the rise from a mean of 4.46 full-time staffers last year to 8.48 this year leaves corporate work-life departments about one-third of the size they were when AWLP and Work/Life Today conducted the industry survey of 2002.
Indeed, 66 percent of the work-life professionals who responded to the survey say their companies employ fewer than 10 work-life employees.
The reason, notes Kathie Lingle, AWLP's director, could lie in the success of the work-life profession.
"My definition of success would be when nobody would need me anymore because work-life benefits would be a routine and indispensable part of every corporate culture," she said.
The survey also reports:
The type and number of work-life programs appears to be increasing to pre-recession levels after a decline for some programs in 2003. Notably, more companies are offering paid family, maternity and paternity leave.
Respondents -- AWLP members and Work/Life Today subscribers -- rank elder care as one of the five top recession-proof work-life benefits. The others are employee assistance programs, resource and referral services, child care and flex-time.
Work-life professionals are earning more money: In 2004, fewer respondents reported salaries of less than $100,000, while more reported earning six figures.
More respondents this year than last report that fewer than 25 percent of their employees use work-life benefits.
About Alliance for Work-Life Progress® Alliance for Work-Life Progress (www.awlp.org) is dedicated to advancing work-life as a business strategy integrating work, family and community. An entity of WorldatWork, AWLP defines and recognizes innovation and best practices, facilitates dialogue among various sectors and promotes work-life thought leadership.
