Weighing in on work life balance
Anxiety, fear, and frustration are abound, no matter the sector. Careers are being questioned, job security a concern and just the mention of any kind of work life balance – placed on the back burner.
But this is precisely the time when the integration of our working and living experience - becomes most important. And as if on cue, October happens to be National Work and Family Month.
Employer-sponsored work life initiatives such as child care, wellness programs, and flexibility initiatives are believed to enhance employee attraction, retention and productivity. You can read more about the benefits in the Families and Work Institute's 2008 National Study of Employers. This study tracked such work life initiatives over the last decade.
To learn about the companies which offer some of the best work life practices and programs check out Fortune Magazine's 100 Best Companies for Work For. This is a rundown of the top companies which is listed by state. Click here to view New York. From there you can access the other states.
The National Association of Mothers' Centers is also a good stop to delve into best practices on the elusive quest toward work life balance. Their annual work life conference is being held on Long Island on November 7th.
Are you work life balanced? There's really not such a thing. It's more a journey of evolution. Ask yourself the following questions in this Work Life Inquiry:
- Have you sacrificed family time for work?
- Have your personal friendships suffered due to work?
- Do you favor work above spending personal time?
- Are you dissatisfied with your weekly achievements at home and at work?
- Do your core working relationships need some attention?
- Do you wish your job was more fulfilling?
- Do you desire change but don't have time to make it happen?
- Do your working conditions need a tune up?
- Do you wish you were more engaged at your job?
- Do you have a stress reducing routine or practice at work?
If you answered 'yes" to questions 1-9 then you have some work to do. If you answered "yes" to #10 keep up the good work. Cultivating work life resilience is key to productivity and sanity at work. You'll hear more about that in my next article.
3 Responses to “Weighing in on work life balance”
A very nice post. It is true that most of the times we give more importance to work and neglect our families. It can affect our productivity at work and also our health. The importance of work-life balance will interest you at http://outsorcerer.com/blog/?p=16.
Comment made on October 2nd, 2008 at 2:23 amThis is the great merger and acquisition of our time: work takes over life. (And if the Brits are to be believed, sex goes missing!)
Many of us think we’re working too hard and too long and we don’t like it anymore. But a focus on work-life balance alone may miss the point. It’s not just a case of having more time for family, friends and fun stuff; nor just a case of too much work. It’s also about the actual work we do. How fulfilling is it really? Great numbers of us are looking for something more. (And no, this isn’t about God in case you’re wondering!)
Comment made on October 3rd, 2008 at 9:09 pmHello Amand,
To your point regarding fulfillment at work. I see that as part of the equation toward right livelihood and striking the alleged balance between the work and life experience. But it’s a personal choice.
Only an individual can truly speak for his or her self – as to what is meaningful and purposeful work. For some it has to do with social consciousness – for others it might be service. And to take it a step further it may very well be faith, beliefs or “God” that drives a person.
I would never invalidate someones passion, belief or journey.
Please take a look at the following post and radio feature on right livelihood. It’s an interview with career counselor Rick Jarow Ph.D.
You might enjoy it. Thanks for writing in.
Best, Judy
http://www.worklifemonitor.com/the_chaos_monitor/2008/05/worklife-nati-1.html
Comment made on October 4th, 2008 at 1:28 pmLeave a Comment