An Inventory of Family-Friendly Benefit Practices in Small New Jersey Local Governments

Local government human resource management practices are under pressure with changes in family structure, increas-ing workforce diversity, the aging of the workforce and organizational reinvention initiatives (Bond, Galinsky & Swanberg, 1998). The goal of this research effort is to determine the prevalence of specific benefit practices in a sample of small New Jersey local governments. The strength of New Jersey local government benefit packages centers on the traditional benefits of health insurance, pension benefits and paid time-off. The effectiveness ofthe benefit package can be enhanced by allowing employees to utilize sick time for family or child emergencies. Recommendations to broaden the prevalence of work-life benefits include benefit consortiums and participation in state benefit plans. Local government human resource management practices are under pressure with changes in family structure, increasing workforce diversity, the aging of the workforce and organizational reinvention initiatives (Bond, Galinsky & Swanberg, 1998). Local government benefits are a key component of employee compensation packages, with tradi-tional benefits such as pensions, health insur