University of Hawai'i University Relations Media & Publications Honolulu, HI 96822	(808) 956-8856 Telephone (808) 956-3441 Facsimile ur@hawaii.edu E-Mail
Contact: Kim Fujiuchi, 956-5104	Air Date: April 10, 1998

Family-minded firms Most employees walk a tightrope to manage the time demands of career and family. This is where family-owned businesses can help strike the balance between the two, says Kim Fujiuchi of the UH Family Business Center. Here's how: Promote flexibility in the company. Allow arrangements like modified hours and compressed workweeks; Set realistic standards and expectations. This might mean rescheduling activities that cause period bottlenecks; Next, Avoid imposing irregular hours. Don't make a habit of requiring late nights and early mornings; Provide technology to enable work away from the office. This means laptop computers, fax machines and other technological advances; finally, Be innovative. For example, an accounting firm provides free on-site child care on Saturdays during tax preparation season. This is the University Report, I'm Tracy Orillo Donovan.

-UH-