ABSTRACT
The Balance@UW initiative began in 2006 when the University of Washington (UW) won one of five Alfred P. Balance@UW is the culmination of decades of effort to support the work-life balance of faculty, staff, and students, including program development and cultural change initiatives. These supports provide a variety of options across the life and career course, including flexibility in work structures for faculty and staff, lactation stations, parenting seminars, elder care support groups, on-site childcare facilities, and childcare vouchers for students. Work expectations for faculty and staff differ, so flexible work arrangements for each are discussed separately. The best practice for UW staff is the range of options available, including flex time, compressed workweeks, telecommuting, and part-time work or job sharing. Consequently, faculty need flexible options such as tenure clock extensions and part-time tenure-track appointments. Flexible work arrangements for staff provide flexibility in when and/or where work is conducted.
