Companies were vetted and scored based on workforce representation, childcare, flexibility programs and usage, leave policies and accountability of managers.

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Caroline Simard, a vice president at the institute and co-author of the study, believes companies will need to change to address a changing workforce, which wants more flexibility and time for family.

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The flexibility of the workforce has been part of that, according to Ross Walker, UK economist at RBS, who points to the large numbers of part-time jobs in previous months, small rises in average wages and the increase in self-employment.

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Nissan struck an agreement with the unions, limiting wage increases and giving the company more flexibility with its temporary workforce.

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The report documents some of the changes in the U.S. workforce which have increased the need for flexibility in the workplace, including the increased number of women entering the labor force, the prevalence of families where all adults work, increasing eldercare responsibilities, and the rising importance of continuing education.

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Significantly, operating as a personal service company gives them flexibility, and a healthy economy needs a flexible workforce.

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Since Rebekah is a diversity leader (and flexibility increases the number of women who stay and advance in the workforce), I asked her why this particular book stands out among all others.

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"The council's move to a smaller, leaner workforce will be achieved through developing skills of existing staff, greater movement and flexibility of people around the organisation, restricting external recruitment and reductions in overall staff numbers through natural turnover", it said.

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