- Love 'Em or Lose 'Em
- Beverly Kaye
- 550字
- 2021-04-03 17:19:19
Get Creative
“We’ve never done that here.” “The policies don’t support that.” “I’d be in trouble with my boss if I allowed that.” These are common excuses among managers who don’t know their real power or are afraid to test the limits of the family-friendly (or -unfriendly) rules. Sure, there are constraints and policy guidelines in most organizations. And you have to play by those rules to some degree. But often it pays to get creative on behalf of your employees and their needs. Job-sharing is just one example of a creative solution to a challenging situation.
There was no such thing as job sharing in this organization. We have a long history and cemented policies. After the birth of our children, another director and I decided to go to our boss and ask about the possibility of sharing one job. The job was high level and critical to the organization, so at first there was tremendous concern about even trying it. But our boss took a risk and gained approval for a six-month test period. That was 12 years ago, and we have been sharing the job effectively ever since. Our boss’s creativity and flexibility allowed us both to balance family and work. We are tremendously grateful and loyal employees.
—Manager, public utility
GO TO Question
To Do
Here are some other strategies and solutions that managers have found in collaboration with their employees. Which might work for you?
If employees must travel on weekends, offer something in exchange, such as time off during the week or allowing family members to travel with the employee.
When your employees travel to areas where they have family or friends, allow them to spend extra time with those people at the beginning or end of the trip.
If company policy absolutely prohibits bringing pets to work, consider a picnic in a park where those furry family members are welcome.
Give your employees a “floating” day off each year to be used for a special occasion. Or suggest they go home early on their birthdays or anniversaries.
Have a party for your team and their families. Invite the kids (or hire sitters for small ones), and go for pizza together.
When an employee asks about working from home, really explore that possibility. What are the upsides? Downsides? Get creative about how that might work to benefit both the employee and your team.
Consider subsidizing your employees’ home Internet service costs. The monthly costs for Internet use are small compared with the productivity you’ll get in return. This also allows them to work effectively from home.
The best kind of creativity is collaborative. Remember to brainstorm a list of ideas with your employees and be continuously open to new and innovative ways to balance family and work. Tailor and customize your strategies to employees’ needs.
Companies that once expected employees to devote themselves single-mindedly to increasing profits and productivity have adjusted their vision (and their vision statements) to accommodate employees’ desire and determination to succeed not just at the office, but at home as well. Balance has started to replace obsession as the value driving most companies and most individuals.