Families and work: revisiting barriers to employment

"In recent years, considerable effort has been put into supporting parents to make the transition into work. This study was commissioned by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to explore whether these incentives were helping parents to overcome the barriers known to impede their engagement in the formal labour market. The report is based on fieldwork conducted in 2009. However, the concluding chapter considers the significance of the findings in light of proposals for the introduction of the Universal Credit and other reforms of the tax and benefit systems proposed by the Coalition Government." - Page 1

National Outreach Partners

The national outreach partners were selected for their expertise in key issues associated with the Noddy series. Both are committed to providing quality services to children, families and communities

Control Over Work Hours and Alternative Work Schedules

[Excerpt] Alternative work schedules encompass work hours that do not necessarily fall inside the perimeters of the traditional and often rigid 8-hour workday or 40-hour workweek. Such schedules allow working people to earn a paycheck while having the flexibility to take care of children, older relatives and other needs. Examples of such schedules include: limits on mandatory overtime, flexible work day, compressed workweek, shift swap and telecommuting. Changes in the workforce and the economy are making alternative work schedules increasingly important for working families trying to balance jobs and family responsibilities