Press Releases
March 19, 1997

The Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America, through its Institute for Public Affairs, applauded today's passage of the Working Families Flexibility Act by the House of Representatives. The legislation amends labor laws to permit employees to elect to receive overtime compensation in the form of compensatory time rather than overtime pay. The Institute for Public Affairs supported the legislation and submitted testimony to the House subcommittee considering the legislation.

"This bill provides greater flexibility for workers and their families," said IPA director Nathan Diament, "and that is critical for the American family of the 1990s. This legislation opens the possibility for workers to work overtime now, and get time off later to use for family obligations, religious observances or other personal needs."

The Senate must now consider its version of this legislation -- in support of which the IPA also submitted testimony -- and President Clinton, who has endorsed the concept of new flex time legislation but not these specific versions, must engage in the debate as well. "We hope," said Nathan Diament, "that the two houses of Congress and the Administration can come together and provide American families, who are subject to greater demands each day, more help and flexibility by passing this type of legislation."