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Statement

STATEMENT OF KRISTIN ROWE-FINKBEINER, AND JOAN BLADES, Co-Founders of MomsRising, on Yahoo’s decision to end allowing employees to work remotely

February 26, 2013
Workplace Justice

Lisa Lederer, 202-371-1996

“Yahoo's announcement that it is ending its policy of allowing employees to work remotely is being met with shocked disbelief. The fact that an Internet company, which has contributed to the ability for people to work from home, is ending this long-standing practice is troubling, especially given the immense success of companies who regularly use remote work options. Flexible work environments can be highly effective in many jobs, not just for parents or others with family obligations, but for anyone.  Removing this option cuts a company off from the talented and innovative workers they need to remain competitive.
 
“The modern workforce needs modern workplace policies and practices. As technology has made possible these advances, the composition of our labor force has also changed: Women now comprise half the paid labor force for the first time in history and three-quarters of moms are now in the labor force. Most families now need two parents working for pay to make ends meet. 
 
“From the highly paid to those making minimum wage, far too few women in America have flexible work options—almost three-fourths of working adults say they don’t control their work schedules. In fact, the top reason identified by highly educated and trained women for leaving the ‘fast track’ is the lack of family time.  
 
“Companies like Yahoo, which need highly creative and talented people for their workforces, must  understand the important benefits of allowing employees to work remotely on their overall productivity and the well-being of our nation’s families.”
 

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MomsRising.org is an on-the-ground and online grassroots organization of more than a million people who are working to increase family economic security, decrease discrimination against women and moms, and to build a nation where businesses and families can thrive. Established in 2006, MomsRising and its members are organizing and speaking out to improve public policy and to change the national dialogue on issues that are critically important to America’s families, including criminal justice reform, immigration policy reform, and gun safety. MomsRising is working for paid family and medical leave, affordable, high quality childcare and early learning, and for an end to the wage and hiring discrimination which penalizes women — particularly moms and women of color — and so many others. MomsRising advocates for access to healthy food for all kids, health care for all, earned sick days, and breastfeeding rights so that all children can have a healthy start. MomsRising maintains a Spanish language website: MamásConPoder.org. Sign up online at www.MomsRising.org — and follow us on our blog, and on Twitter and Facebook.