About Families and Work Institute

Families and Work Institute (FWI) is a nonprofit center for research that provides data to inform decision-making on the changing workforce, changing family and changing community. Founded in 1989, FWI's research typically takes on emerging issues before they crest. Our work often changes the language of debates to move the discussion forward.

The Institute offers some of the most comprehensive research on the U.S. workforce available. In 2003, we released Highlights of the National Study of the Changing Workforce, the 2002 edition of the largest and most far-reaching study of a representative sample of U.S. workers. Highlights traces trends in the workforce over the past 25 years and explores topics such as the glass ceiling, changes in men's and women's involvement in family life, the role of technology in employees' lives, workplace flexibility, and working for oneself versus working for others. Additional reports on a variety of topics using National Study data are planned for 2004 and 2005.

In 2004, Families and Work Institute, with funding from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, is working with the Center for Workforce Preparation, an affiliate of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and the Center for Emerging Futures on a nationwide campaign to increase the access that employees have to workplace flexibility by raising awareness of the importance of flexibility to both employers and employees nationally and locally, and by increasing the number of spokespersons who can become credible voices for workplace flexibility. This campaign will produce several reports and case studies as well as launch the Sloan Awards for Business Excellence in Workplace Flexibility in eight communities, and conduct the 2004 Business Work-Life Study, to assess employer trends since the study was last conducted in 1998.

FWI has successfully developed several studies with corporate funders and other partners. In 2003, FWI, Catalyst and The Boston College Center for Work & Family released Leaders in a Global Economy, a study that challenges much of the common wisdom about women and advancement. Feeling Overworked, published with PricewaterhouseCoopers, has continued to generate news since its 2001 publication.

With The Conference Board, FWI co-founded and staffs the annual Work-Life Conference that has become the major event for business leaders in the field.

In 2004-2005, the Institute will launch a major, multi-component national communications effort on early learning, based on the best research on children's development. It includes a 13-part television show, Mind in the Making: The Science of Early Learning produced in partnership with New Screen Concepts. Mind in the Making also will include parenting videos, tip sheets, and a series of learning modules for early childhood teachers as well as selected campaigns in states and communities.

Following the publication of FWI President and Co-Founder Ellen Galinsky's 1999 book, Ask The Children, FWI launched the Ask The Children® Series of studies, which investigate young people's views of critical issues facing them as they grow up. Topics include Youth and Violence, Youth and Employment, Youth and Learning, and others.

Other youth-related projects include Salute to Educators, 9/11 As History, and the MetLife Foundation Tri-Connecting Initiative.

January 2004.