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Welcome to Flex-Options for Women. This project, sponsored by the Women's Bureau of the U.S. Department of Labor, encourages business owners to develop workplace flexibility policies and procedures in response to the growing demand for such options in the workplace. Business owners understand the desire of today's workforce to have more flexibility in their work schedules. After all, many entrepreneurs chose the path of business ownership to provide themselves with more control and flexibility in managing their own personal lives. With the demand growing for flexible work arrangements, business owners are interested in implementing practical solutions to help America's workforce balance their many commitments. They also want to help their firms stay competitive in attracting and keeping quality employees. Through a partnership with skilled contractors and experienced corporate mentors who have successfully implemented workplace flexibility, Flex-Options for Women will directly assist business owners in six regions of the U.S. while building national awareness of flexible workplace solutions. Using mentors to instruct business owners about implementing workplace flexibility programs is an attractive means for sharing techniques and models that work. Business owners understand the important role that mentoring plays in helping to start and grow firms into viable, competitive entities. A survey of 600 women business owners attending the North East Women Entrepreneurship in the 21st Century conference, August 2002, found "mentoring" the most important element in assisting women who start businesses. Personal contacts or "networks" was a close second. Flex-Options for Women will blend these dynamics to structure a learning environment and program that meets the needs of entrepreneurs. Through this project, the Women's Bureau will encourage business owners to establish or expand workplace flexibility programs. By sharing information and experiences that emerge from Flex-Options for Women, we also aim to foster further development of the principles of workplace flexibility.
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