What helps your work/life balance?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You commute 90 hours each way, work well past your normal hours regularly, can't use flex time to cover appointments, can't telework, and only get 12 days TOTAL of PTO a year, sick and vacation?

You need a new job.

That's just too much, especially coupled with the spouse job situation you described, to have anything resembling work-life balance.

Scratch that--you said 90 minutes total, not each way. I'd still think you need more PTO, the ability to apply time worked outside of business hours to apply to time missed for appointments and such, and probably a telework day, but I think it could be done.

You might start looking around though...nothing like having another offer to motivate your employer to change.

[Anonymous]

One thing I asked for at a job (and got, though I decided against staying at the job anyway for various reasons) was the right to take 3 weeks off without pay in addition to regular vacation. I was more comfortable with this because I felt like I wasn't getting something others weren't. I was trading pay for time. Also, it avoided the reduced schedule trap of having the same amount of work in less time. I could schedule my extra time off.
Not sure it would have worked, but my organization said Yes to it right away and it felt like a good option to me.

[Anonymous]

Very flexible schedule, 2 weeks sick and 4.5 weeks annual leave, comp time, ability to work from home up to 3 days a week, ability to work out at lunch, almost no commute, very understanding and family-friendly attitude. All of these together make it possible to have good work/life balance.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here-- this is really helpful. DH is in a job where he has a ton of flexibility for about 4 months of the year, but almost no flexibility at other times. So, it isn't nearly as bad when we are in his down cycle, but a nightmare when he is busy. I really appreciate all the tips on how to frame things. I spend almost 90 minutes a day commuting, so cutting that out would help a lot. Also, since my job is so far from our house, it makes it a huge time suck to need to go into the kids' school for something or take them to the doctor. Being able to work from home on the days I have those things would actually allow me to get more work done. I'm going to work on a proposal based on all of the suggestions here.

One follow up question for those of you who can work from home-- are all employees allowed to do it or only some? Some of the push back to flexibility in the past has been that if they let one person do it, then they have to let everyone. (I'm the only employee with young children.)

my company offers one day a week for telework as an option to people who live outside a certain radius of the office. that way it was "fair"... but really, the fairness thing is bunk. people don't get paid the same for the same work, is that fair?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

One follow up question for those of you who can work from home-- are all employees allowed to do it or only some? Some of the push back to flexibility in the past has been that if they let one person do it, then they have to let everyone. (I'm the only employee with young children.)

Only some. At our company, the ability to telework is a privelege, not an entitlement or benefit. Some positions are more conducive to telework than others. Some are not telework-eligible at all. It's dependent on good performance, and is not permanent. It can be taken away if business needs change, or if there is any question as to the employee's performance or productivity.

In my opinion, if you're a slacker in the office, you'll be a slacker working from home. If you're a strong performer, the chances are much better that you'll be able to continue to produce good results teleworking. Not always the case, but often.

[Anonymous]

How do you make the case that telework helps your employer?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Very flexible schedule, 2 weeks sick and 4.5 weeks annual leave, comp time, ability to work from home up to 3 days a week, ability to work out at lunch, almost no commute, very understanding and family-friendly attitude. All of these together make it possible to have good work/life balance.

Sounds great!

[Anonymous]

I started a part-time schedule after 4 years at this place. Great that they allowed it, but the effect was to make me more disconnected from work and enjoying it less and wanting even more time off. Now I'm thinking of quitting.

[Anonymous]

"I also wouldn't dwell on the details of your personal life when requesting this - simply state your interest in balancing home and work priorities, and don't make it a complaint about not having enough vacation, or needing to use vacation time for kids dr appts, laundry. being stressed out, etc. "

As a manager, don't tell me any any of this, I don't care. I have a longer commute than you do, DH is dead, etc.
Check out other flexible work plans on the Net. Come to me with a well thought out plan that will benefit our employer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Very flexible schedule, 2 weeks sick and 4.5 weeks annual leave, comp time, ability to work from home up to 3 days a week, ability to work out at lunch, almost no commute, very understanding and family-friendly attitude. All of these together make it possible to have good work/life balance.

Sounds great!

It is. And that is why I remain a very loyal employee even with much higher paid alternatives available. I am extremely productive too because I waste no time or energy at work being upset or figuring out how to fit it in. I only actually work 1 day a week at home, but some work more and the option is very important to me, especially as I know my needs will change as my children get older.

Most attorneys at my office can work from home 1-2 days a week after 1 year and 3 days after 4. It is a privilege, however, and it can be taken away if you don't work up to par. I find I am more productive on work from home days than I am at work (although it varies), and I usually end up working longer and being even more responsive. And I am way less stressed than I would be without that option because if enables me to work around doctors appointments, deliveries, etc. and then get right back to working.