The Glasers
  • Courses
    • All Courses
    • BreakThrough Conflict
    • Hardwiring Teamwork
    • Persuasion & Influence
  • Ways to Learn
    • All Learning Options
    • Hybrid Learning System
    • Self-paced video
    • Live Virtual
    • In-Person Seminar
  • Trainer Training
  • Testimonials
    • Testimonials on Virtual Learning
    • Written Testimonials
  • About the Glasers
    • About the Glasers
    • Communication Capsule Blog
    • Published Research
    • Learning Products
  • Contact

Supporting and Modeling Work-Life Balance

9/15/2015

7 Comments

 
Picture
A decade-long research study of work culture, work-life fit, and health, funded by the National Institute of Health, has found that workers in environments that support work-life balance show half the risk of cardiovascular disease, significantly lower levels of stress, improved physical and mental health—and higher job satisfaction.

In explaining the research Ellen Ernst Kossek, professor of management at Purdue University, said her own research supports that people are more depressed when they have “low boundary control,” i.e. that their home life and “time off” will be invaded by relentless work issues.”

Despite the well-known benefits of work-life balance, many organizations appear to have challenges implementing this type of support. Part of the problem may be that managers—many of whom have been conditioned to be workaholics themselves—simply don’t know how to facilitate employees’ work-life needs.

In one of Kossek’s research experiments, she and her team trained managers of a grocery store chain for 45 minutes to an hour on how to support employees’ work-life needs. They began to offer emotional support and instrumental support, helping employees get the right schedule. They learned not only how to be creative, but how to be role models. We agree with Kossek, when she says, “If you train the whole manager group…you change not just individual behavior, but the entire culture.”


We want to hear. Do you feel you have good work-life balance and how does that balance, or lack of it, affect the way you feel about your workplace? To join the conversation, click "comments" on our Community of Practice Forum.

7 Comments
Bobbi L Kamil
9/15/2015 11:57:18 am

I worry lots about this next generation that seems to often feel driven by a need to make more and more money--just to survive (especially in Silicon Valley) just to make ends meet. They loose their perspective on this key need for balance. I'm sure there's no easy fix, but the more aware a person is of their needs, the more able they are to argue for balance. Thanks for the reminder. I've forwarded your piece to numbers of young people.

Reply
Susan
9/16/2015 10:44:27 am

You are so right Bobbi. There are so many factors that really affect the person's ability to achieve balance. The more people who value it, the more often it will happen.

Reply
Dick Swenson link
9/15/2015 12:37:12 pm

I am perpetually surprised by the amount of rediscovery that occurs. Edwards Deming, the acknowledged leader of the topic of "quality control" observed some 60 years ago that most of the problems in any organization is the result of poor practices by management. Thus, to improve an organization, you must address problems of management and not try to "fix" the employees.

This seems to be true if you try to change an organization's culture, also. It must be done top-down and by showing the employees that what is good for management is good for employees (Think about this if you're looking at wages.)

Thus to address work-life balance, it is imperative for management to admit that it needs to lead by example, not by exhortation

By the way, just exactly how much paid time off, sick leave, paid parental leave, etc. do the CEOs of the big corporations get? Bet that would be secret knowledge.

Reply
Susan
9/16/2015 10:42:56 am

Thank you for this Dick. We most definitely agree that culture starts at the top. And you have made it clear that it also includes work-life balance.

Reply
Susan
9/17/2015 09:38:29 am

Dick: Really like your phrase: Lead by example not exhortation.Thanks.

Barbara
9/22/2015 12:52:28 am

For years I worked in an organization that 55, 60 - 70 hours a week was the norm, on call 24/7 - little wonder I got burned out after 14 years. I adamantly told myself I would not lose my work life balance with my latest manager job especially after having a brief/temporary position with a company that I only worked 8 hours, had a wonderful lunch and went home @ 4:30 - it was dreamy work hard/play hard (and their culture).
Now here I am again - into work early, home late and trying to help my team not to work on days off or after work hours. Looking at work loads I ask our director and executive team for support. Can they provide a team member(s) within the organization who is meeting the productivity expectations and all job responsibilities? To date, I'm still looking for the opportunities to provide the resources, solutions, brain storming or best practice answers (I'm sure they are out there!) All of this to say, a work-life balance while may be easy to say in an organization "yes, we promote this" or "this is our culture" is not the same as walking the talk or setting the example from the top down.

Reply
susan
9/22/2015 01:00:49 pm

You are so right, Barbara. Thank you for your personal insights and history in the area of work/life balance. Couldn't agree more: It is a phrase that is easy to utter and very hard to create. Please stay in touch if you find answers in your quest!

Reply

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    RSS Feed

    Archives

    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013

    Categories

    All
    BreakThrough Conflict
    Children & Young Adult
    Communication
    Community Of Practice
    Hardwiring Teamwork
    Leadership
    Persuasion And Influence

Communication Capsule Blog
Published Research
Press/Media Resources
Organizational Culture Survey
III Survey
Resources
CoreSkills
Glaser & Associates, Inc.
Executive Offices
1740 Craigmont Avenue, Eugene, OR 97405
541-343-7575 | 800-980-0321
info@theglasers.com
Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions
© 2019 Glaser & Associates.  All Rights Reserved.
  • Courses
    • All Courses
    • BreakThrough Conflict
    • Hardwiring Teamwork
    • Persuasion & Influence
  • Ways to Learn
    • All Learning Options
    • Hybrid Learning System
    • Self-paced video
    • Live Virtual
    • In-Person Seminar
  • Trainer Training
  • Testimonials
    • Testimonials on Virtual Learning
    • Written Testimonials
  • About the Glasers
    • About the Glasers
    • Communication Capsule Blog
    • Published Research
    • Learning Products
  • Contact