Women work around the clock

The frantic pace of today's workplace can be a strain for parents who juggle the responsibilities of family and work.

And with an increasingly 24/7 economy, many women now work odd hours with schedules different from their spouses.

According to a recent survey by the AFL-CIO, most working women (60 percent), many with children under the age of 18, say they work at least 40 hours a week outside the home.

More than 1 in 4 women say their schedules include working nights or weekends.

Women most likely to work irregular hours either earn less than $25,000 a year, are single, or have a high school education or less.

Other findings from the poll:

*Nearly three-quarters of women surveyed said their employers did not offer child-care benefits.

*54 percent did not receive paid leave for taking care of a baby or ill family member.

*34 percent said they had no flexibility or control over their work hours.

*29 percent said their employers did not provide any sick leave.

*28 percent said they do not receive pension or retirement benefits.

(c) Copyright 2000. The Christian Science Publishing Society