Comments for Families and Work Institute Blog http://familiesandwork.org/blog Work Life flexibility at work work life balance families and work Sat, 31 Dec 2011 20:10:42 -0500 hourly 1 Comment on Guest Post: Today’s Managers Must Be Connectors by Terri http://familiesandwork.org/blog/?p=770&cpage=1#comment-1455 Terri Sat, 31 Dec 2011 20:10:42 +0000 http://familiesandwork.org/blog/?p=770#comment-1455 I almost felt guilty making small talk when I first started working. It seemed something so relaxing and fun meant I wasn't working hard enough. Several years later I realized some of those talks and the relationships they built we're more important than whatever else I was doing at the time. I almost felt guilty making small talk when I first started working. It seemed something so relaxing and fun meant I wasn’t working hard enough. Several years later I realized some of those talks and the relationships they built we’re more important than whatever else I was doing at the time.

]]> Comment on How do you job share? by Dan@ Job Description http://familiesandwork.org/blog/?p=334&cpage=1#comment-1404 Dan@ Job Description Sat, 03 Dec 2011 06:43:48 +0000 http://familiesandwork.org/blog/?p=334#comment-1404 Thanks Morra for this information. I've found some idea I can use to share some of my jobs. Well done. Thanks Morra for this information. I’ve found some idea I can use to share some of my jobs. Well done.

]]> Comment on What’s Good for the Gander is Good for the Goose by Carol Volk http://familiesandwork.org/blog/?p=768&cpage=1#comment-1311 Carol Volk Mon, 17 Oct 2011 14:57:05 +0000 http://familiesandwork.org/blog/?p=768#comment-1311 Dear Ms. Galinsky, I am a great admirer of your work, but I am having an internal debate as to whether a gender-neutral approach to Work-Life flexibility is really the best approach. I come from one of the most inflexible environments, the State Department, and if we wait for the men to get on board before demanding greater flexibility, we may never get anywhere. At a recent conference held at State, Kathie Lingle of the Alliance for Work-Life Progress made the point that change often has to come from militant action from below. All of Colin Powell's calls for Work-Life balance (to paraphrase: "if you're at your desk after five, it should be for something urgent") went nowhere, because there was no management buy-in, no trickle down. In contrast, I look at how far the gay and lesbian organization, GLIFA, has gotten by being a more militant group, and by not waiting to get anyone else on board: Hillary Clinton's first act upon assuming her position was to grant well-deserved demands for equal treatment for partners. GLIFA could have waited to ally themselves with unmarried FSOs with partners, or others, but their immediate-action/squeaky wheel approach on behalf of themselves got results. I know women, after years of following the "male clone model," are loath to be squeaky wheels at work, but maybe the "next wave" of feminism can do better? Dear Ms. Galinsky,
I am a great admirer of your work, but I am having an internal debate as to whether a gender-neutral approach to Work-Life flexibility is really the best approach. I come from one of the most inflexible environments, the State Department, and if we wait for the men to get on board before demanding greater flexibility, we may never get anywhere.

At a recent conference held at State, Kathie Lingle of the Alliance for Work-Life Progress made the point that change often has to come from militant action from below. All of Colin Powell’s calls for Work-Life balance (to paraphrase: “if you’re at your desk after five, it should be for something urgent”) went nowhere, because there was no management buy-in, no trickle down. In contrast, I look at how far the gay and lesbian organization, GLIFA, has gotten by being a more militant group, and by not waiting to get anyone else on board: Hillary Clinton’s first act upon assuming her position was to grant well-deserved demands for equal treatment for partners.

GLIFA could have waited to ally themselves with unmarried FSOs with partners, or others, but their immediate-action/squeaky wheel approach on behalf of themselves got results. I know women, after years of following the “male clone model,” are loath to be squeaky wheels at work, but maybe the “next wave” of feminism can do better?

]]> Comment on The Mystique of “Doing It All:” Adjusting to Changing Responsibilities at Work and at Home by Andrea Ballard http://familiesandwork.org/blog/?p=763&cpage=1#comment-1298 Andrea Ballard Wed, 05 Oct 2011 23:32:59 +0000 http://familiesandwork.org/blog/?p=763#comment-1298 Kerstin, Your article really resonated with me. I, too, stepped back into a part-time job shortly after having my first child, and I struggled. Not because of lack of employer support, but because I was trying to use my "old' work style (stay late until it's done, beat all my deadlines, promise more than a reasonable person could deliver) in a new part-time situation. I also made the mistake of not substantially decreasing my duties...I didn't want to give anything up! I adjusted in that position, and since have made further adjustments as my flexibility needs have changed and my child grows. It sure keeps things interesting! Kerstin, Your article really resonated with me. I, too, stepped back into a part-time job shortly after having my first child, and I struggled. Not because of lack of employer support, but because I was trying to use my “old’ work style (stay late until it’s done, beat all my deadlines, promise more than a reasonable person could deliver) in a new part-time situation. I also made the mistake of not substantially decreasing my duties…I didn’t want to give anything up! I adjusted in that position, and since have made further adjustments as my flexibility needs have changed and my child grows. It sure keeps things interesting!

]]> Comment on Sacrificial Lambs: How We Are Destroying Our Children by Bullied Girl http://familiesandwork.org/blog/?p=715&cpage=1#comment-1292 Bullied Girl Mon, 26 Sep 2011 03:58:24 +0000 http://familiesandwork.org/blog/?p=715#comment-1292 I completely agree that we need to change the paradigm, but without understanding the initial crux of the problem, we are surely bound to repeat our mistakes Bullied Girl I completely agree that we need to change the paradigm, but without understanding the initial crux of the problem, we are surely bound to repeat our mistakes

Bullied Girl

]]> Comment on Looking at wellness: beyond the gym membership by Barbara http://familiesandwork.org/blog/?p=331&cpage=1#comment-1249 Barbara Thu, 07 Jul 2011 17:06:41 +0000 http://familiesandwork.org/blog/?p=331#comment-1249 “Even though 60% of responding HR professionals report that the recession has had an impact on their employers’ benefits offerings, many employers plan to increase benefits in health and wellness. To wit, 10% of respondents plan to implement rewards or bonuses for achieving or completing certain health and wellness goals/programs, and 8% of respondents plan to add health/lifestyle coaching in the next 12 months.” In a time when many benefits (health care, dental, etc) are being cut, it’s nice to know many professionals are trying to find a way to implement wellness plans. Many people depend on these benefits to stay healthy! “Even though 60% of responding HR professionals report that the recession has had an impact on their employers’ benefits offerings, many employers plan to increase benefits in health and wellness. To wit, 10% of respondents plan to implement rewards or bonuses for achieving or completing certain health and wellness goals/programs, and 8% of respondents plan to add health/lifestyle coaching in the next 12 months.” In a time when many benefits (health care, dental, etc) are being cut, it’s nice to know many professionals are trying to find a way to implement wellness plans. Many people depend on these benefits to stay healthy!

]]> Comment on Three Millennial Myths…..DEBUNKED! by Center for Student Professional Development » Blog Archive » 15 MOST COMMON MYTHS ABOUT MILLENNIALS http://familiesandwork.org/blog/?p=192&cpage=1#comment-1245 Center for Student Professional Development » Blog Archive » 15 MOST COMMON MYTHS ABOUT MILLENNIALS Mon, 27 Jun 2011 17:30:59 +0000 http://familiesandwork.org/blog/?p=192#comment-1245 [...] They slack off. A lot: The Families and Work Institute points out that a “24/7 world of business” is to blame for the generation’s seeming laziness, not an inherent aversion to work. Millennials are expected to extend their personal lives beyond the office if they hope to succeed, but this often forces them to make family second priority — a common mistake many of their own parents committed. Today, 13% fewer employees under the age of 29 genuinely desire more professional responsibilities if it means more time engaging with their workplaces. National Study of the Changing Workforce noted that men of this generation spend 4.3 hours a week with their kids; women average 30 more minutes per weekday. Men in 1977 only offered their children 1.9 hours. So asking for time off and happily taking vacation days may not necessarily indicate slacking. It might very well mean the employee in question is starting to burn out on a swelling work load. Or that his or her priorities have shifted to embrace family over career. Or, more likely, a combination of the two. [...] [...] They slack off. A lot: The Families and Work Institute points out that a “24/7 world of business” is to blame for the generation’s seeming laziness, not an inherent aversion to work. Millennials are expected to extend their personal lives beyond the office if they hope to succeed, but this often forces them to make family second priority — a common mistake many of their own parents committed. Today, 13% fewer employees under the age of 29 genuinely desire more professional responsibilities if it means more time engaging with their workplaces. National Study of the Changing Workforce noted that men of this generation spend 4.3 hours a week with their kids; women average 30 more minutes per weekday. Men in 1977 only offered their children 1.9 hours. So asking for time off and happily taking vacation days may not necessarily indicate slacking. It might very well mean the employee in question is starting to burn out on a swelling work load. Or that his or her priorities have shifted to embrace family over career. Or, more likely, a combination of the two. [...]

]]> Comment on Looking at wellness: beyond the gym membership by Ron http://familiesandwork.org/blog/?p=331&cpage=1#comment-1237 Ron Tue, 14 Jun 2011 00:18:57 +0000 http://familiesandwork.org/blog/?p=331#comment-1237 I agree that employees need to be aware of their health, so employers that invest into the wellness of their employees are, indeed, doing smart business. This kind of approach will not only affect employee-wellness, but it could boost work performance leading to better working relations also. Thanks. Cheers, Ron www.homegymfitnessequipments.com I agree that employees need to be aware of their health, so employers that invest into the wellness of their employees are, indeed, doing smart business. This kind of approach will not only affect employee-wellness, but it could boost work performance leading to better working relations also. Thanks.

Cheers,

Ron
http://www.homegymfitnessequipments.com

]]> Comment on Preparing for Elder Care Responsibilities by Dee http://familiesandwork.org/blog/?p=411&cpage=1#comment-1236 Dee Sun, 12 Jun 2011 21:48:51 +0000 http://familiesandwork.org/blog/?p=411#comment-1236 Your article hits home with me. I work full time and struggle also providing caregiving for my mother. At this point, I am working hard to keep her independent and at home. She is 73, lives alone and is getting to the point where she needs more assistance. In particular, she needs quality products to help her remain independent as long as possible at home. At some point, she will need to move in with me and balancing work and caregiving will be even more challenging. The most recent thing happening is my mom has fallen a few times and I determined I needed to safety proof her bathroom. I did quite a bit of research to determine what to get. This made me realize there are many other working people like me who need to minimize any tasks they can on the caregiving end. It led me to create an e-commerce site that specializes in offering easy to use products for seniors. My site, http://www.easy4seniors.com is a new company and over time I will be adding more products that help seniors remain independent. Your article hits home with me. I work full time and struggle also providing caregiving for my mother. At this point, I am working hard to keep her independent and at home. She is 73, lives alone and is getting to the point where she needs more assistance. In particular, she needs quality products to help her remain independent as long as possible at home. At some point, she will need to move in with me and balancing work and caregiving will be even more challenging. The most recent thing happening is my mom has fallen a few times and I determined I needed to safety proof her bathroom. I did quite a bit of research to determine what to get. This made me realize there are many other working people like me who need to minimize any tasks they can on the caregiving end. It led me to create an e-commerce site that specializes in offering easy to use products for seniors. My site, http://www.easy4seniors.com is a new company and over time I will be adding more products that help seniors remain independent.

]]> Comment on A Small Amount of Flexibility Can be a Big Thing by A Small Amount of Flexibility Can be a Big Thing | Sloan Work and Family Research Network http://familiesandwork.org/blog/?p=689&cpage=1#comment-1229 A Small Amount of Flexibility Can be a Big Thing | Sloan Work and Family Research Network Mon, 06 Jun 2011 14:55:54 +0000 http://familiesandwork.org/blog/?p=689#comment-1229 [...] is Senior Research Associate at Families and Work Institute. This blog was originally posted on the Families and Work Institute Blog – all rights reserved. Please note that the views of our guest bloggers do not necessarily [...] [...] is Senior Research Associate at Families and Work Institute. This blog was originally posted on the Families and Work Institute Blog – all rights reserved. Please note that the views of our guest bloggers do not necessarily [...]

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