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The article reports on efforts being made by employers to offer fair flextime policies to employees. Examples of new flextime policies are given from Chubb Corp., RSM McGladrey Inc., and PrintingForLess.com. Some of the features of new policies are allowing all employees to apply for flextime, requests that employees justify their schedules in a written proposal, a regular evaluation of flextime setups, asking people to back up their co-workers, and placing the responsibility for scheduling on a team of people.

Focuses on the symbolism behind Brenda Barnes's re-entry to the workforce as the No. 2 executive at Sara Lee Corp. Number of years since Barnes resigned as head of PepsiCo. Inc., one of the country's top corporate jobs, to spend more time with her children; How Barnes' return to the workforce differs from typical female executives who leave to raise children; Number of corporate boards Barnes sat on during the past six years, suggesting she stayed in touch with the business world and new developments; Discussion of the changes in the American workplace for working mothers. INSET: Family-Friendly Companies.

Focuses on the eating habits of co-workers. Estimated amounts of bacteria on desktops, mouse pads and keyboards relative to the average toilet seat, according to Charles Gerba, a microbiologist at the University of Arizona; Comments from Gerba regarding the relative filth of work areas; Results of a study conducted by the American Dietetic Association, illustrating certain eating habits of workers while at work; Recommendations from Gerba as to how to reduce contact with bacteria in the work place.