National Work and Family Month is not only a celebration of work-life effectiveness, but it reinforces the need for innovative solutions to our working culture. Just five years ago, the workplace was drastically different in terms of acceptance for work-life programs and policies. Read what 2008 Work-Life Rising Stars have to say about trends, ideas and the global impact of work-life effectiveness.
What Has Been the Impact of Work-Life in Five Years?
Danielle Shanes
“Five or 10 years ago, work-life was driven by employees; now, I see more managers recognizing that work-life impacts the bottom line, and as a result want to create a culture that encourages work-life effectiveness. I’ve seen more organizations realize that work-family issues are a business imperative.”
Reed Engel
“These work and family efforts are no longer seen as unusual, but are becoming mainstream, and in some cases, even necessary due to increased competition to be known as the Employer of Choice.”
David Lock
“Certainly, work-life for the right reasons requires organizations to take a long look at their objectives for such family-friendly activities and if there is a disparity between the activity and the organizational culture that paints a very different picture. Indeed, it is heartening to know that many companies and organizations are also looking deeper into changing culture and mindsets that is a more important pre-requisite.”
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How Can Work-Life Apply to a Broad Employee Audience?
Nina Madoo
“There needs to be a broad spectrum of assistance to span across the lifecycle to meet the entry-level needs of the millennial to the longer-term needs of matures. Therefore, work-life programs need to be multi-faceted with offerings such as flexible work options (telework, phasing in and out, supporting parents), dependant care for children and elders and those sandwiched with both, and financial support for those challenged with economic hardship, to name a few.”
David Lock
The new economy is borderless. The speed and rate of work has increased exponentially. Time is so compressed that many employees over the world are putting in the extra time and energy just to keep up. The evolving trend of a global worker mortgaging their personal time and family time just to keep up is a common reality regardless of country or nationality.”
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What Can You Do to Celebrate Work-Life?
Reed Engel
“In many cases, looking for the win-win-win scenario — where employees, the organization, and a greater community benefit — is a great way to celebrate work and family.”
Nina Madoo
"Each month we have a work-life topic highlighted as part of our resource and referral promotion. Our October topic is ‘Balancing Work and Family’ in celebration of the anniversary of National Work & Family Month. We will send an electronic newsletter out that highlights service offerings that help our employees manage their work and family responsibilities.”
Danielle Shanes
“We develop a different theme each week of the month — a week-long focus on elder care, for example — and promote resources that help employees with that issue. In addition, we use each week to offer an educational session tied to that week’s theme, such as 'The Emotional Aspects of Caring for an Elderly Loved One.' "
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