abstract: 'This article discusses the need for improved work/life policies,

  provides examples of successful and promising policy approaches, and

  describes methods of assessing the costs and benefits of expanded

  work/life supports. The current need arises from women''s influx into the

  labor force, a decline in employer-provided benefits that support family

  care, an inadequate supply of child care, and inequality in the

  distribution of work/life benefits across income levels. Advocates in a

  number of states are engaged in intensive advocacy to pass paid parental

  leave and paid sick leave laws. Meaningful policy and programmatic

  change requires building public will within governments, business, and

  the general public. To achieve expansive policy change over the

  long-term, innovative efforts are needed to build a broad-based

  grassroots movement focused on work/life issues, to encourage businesses

  to vocally endorse improved practices, and to cultivate policy maker

  champions through improved female political representation.'
author: Gault, B and Lovell, V
author_list:
- family: Gault
  given: B
- family: Lovell
  given: V
da: '2023-09-28'
doi: 10.1177/0002764206286383
files: []
issn: 0002-7642
journal: AMERICAN BEHAVIORAL SCIENTIST
keywords: 'cost/benefit analysis; work/life policy; women''s employment; policy

  change'
language: English
month: MAY
number: '9'
number-of-cited-references: '45'
pages: 1152-1164
papis_id: 83d0e0ebe84bb0f6e29d0b990bc82a77
ref: Gault2006costsbenefits
times-cited: '8'
title: The costs and benefits of policies to advance work/life integration
type: Article
unique-id: WOS:000236848500002
usage-count-last-180-days: '0'
usage-count-since-2013: '11'
volume: '49'
web-of-science-categories: Psychology, Clinical; Social Sciences, Interdisciplinary
year: '2006'