Corporations have adapted by going to flex time and other strategies. At Baxter Healthcare in Deerfield, a worker can have a traditional 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. shift. Donna Namath, manager for work and life initiatives at Baxter, said 15 to 20 percent of the company's employees nationwide work non-traditional shifts, a figure that may be higher here due to traffic problems. Donita Farley of Harvey crams a lot into her early morning. She used to live closer to her job as a claims processor at a worker's compensation firm, but moved back with her parents because of an illness.
Any hitch is cause for concern.
Just a gaper's delay can cost 15 minutes. . . . For now, though, the day just seems to start earlier and earlier. Channel 7's president and general manager, Emily Barr, laughed when asked how much earlier rush hour could begin.