I've been part of the corporate world for 10 years now and I'm not sure I will stop anytime soon. There had been hundreds of times when I felt like quitting yet I stay. The urge had never been as strong as when I gave birth more than a year ago. I ask myself why I have to go to the office each day when I can just stay at home with my daughter. I know that this is a dilemma most new working moms share.
Balancing work and family can be overwhelming. It's getting impossible to control my little firecracker toddler. Clients I deal with can sometimes act like unreasonable toddlers. Just when there is a big project to finish in the office, I'd have to run home because the nanny called in sick.I must say though that going to the office, as chaotic as it is, gives me that chance for a "me" time without feeling too guilty. Everyone just needs a better quality of life in the workplace to keep us sane and functioning.
When I say better quality of life, that means a workplace that makes me happy. A place where I can grow and focus on my career. Yet understands that I am first and foremost a mother and would respect my priorities and needs. I'm lucky to be part of a company that fully supports mothers. In fact, it's included in the Working Mother 2014 List of Best Companies for Working Women. If you would look at the table below, all companies that made the list offers Flextime, Telecommunting, On-site lactation room, and Fully paid maternity leave. Almost all has Mentoring programs and Professional development opportunities as part of Advancement Plans for working moms. There's On-site seasonal flu vaccination and even my much needed Weigh-loss programs. I make sure to utilize these offerings. It helps with my overall well-being and that gives me the strength to tackle my home duties when I get home.
I'm lucky to be part of a company that fully supports mothers. In fact, it's included in the Working Mother 2014 List of Best Companies for Working Women. If you would look at the table below, all companies that made the list offers Flextime, Telecommunting, On-site lactation room, and Fully paid maternity leave. Almost all has Mentoring programs and Professional development opportunities as part of Advancement Plans for working moms. There's On-site seasonal flu vaccination and even my much needed Weigh-loss programs. I make sure to utilize these offerings. It helps with my overall well-being and that gives me the strength to tackle my home duties when I get home.
I'm lucky to be part of a company that fully supports mothers. In fact, it's included in the Working Mother 2014 List of Best Companies for Working Women. If you would look at the table below, all companies that made the list offers Flextime, Telecommunting, On-site lactation room, and Fully paid maternity leave. Almost all has Mentoring programs and Professional development opportunities as part of Advancement Plans for working moms. There's On-site seasonal flu vaccination and even my much needed Weigh-loss programs. I make sure to utilize these offerings. It helps with my overall well-being and that gives me the strength to tackle my home duties when I get home.
source: www.wmmsurveys.com
These things help ensure that parents would have the tools and options to continue working without having to suffer the care of their child.It's also an intentional challenge for myself to keep my workplace Zen. I work better under pressure but my body would not take that much beating anymore. I remove unnecessary stressors - rude coworkers, impossible clients, cluttered desk, shifting work schedule. These seem inevitable but there are ways to address and manage them well.
One strict rule: go home on time. Working extended hours will not make you more productive. It will also keep you from your child longer which can worsen your separation anxiety. I know I miss my baby all the time and it's sometimes too hard to get up and leave for work. I just think about why I need and want to work. To keep me focused in the office, I take my 15-minute breaks and use that to get updates from home. At least I know she is safe and well and may not really be missing me. Venting out and listening to others help me see things from a different perspective. Sharing wonderful and funny misadventures of your kids with another mother that has the same work stress as yours (yeah, I can hear her shout on the phone right across the hall), that's hours worth of therapy for you. And you just end up being happy and laughing together. Maybe even swapping baby recipes.If you have talked to me recently or read my previous posts, you know I had been thinking of working from home. That time may come. For now, I enjoy working in the office. There are challenges for sure. Our companies can help ease this process. Attend those wellness programs, enroll in a new training, take advantage of the day care and use flextime well. Even if your company does not offer these services, know that you can make your own little space of happiness in your workplace. That picture frame or even a collage of you kid's pictures right next to a succulent on your table is your oasis. A better quality of life in the workplace makes for a productive and happy working mom. a happy mom makes for happy kids and a happy family.This post is part of International Quality of Life BlogIt Day, sponsored by Sodexo. For more information about #QoL, visit Sodexo’s Quality of Life Observer websiteIt's also an intentional challenge for myself to keep my workplace Zen. I work better under pressure but my body would not take that much beating anymore. I remove unnecessary stressors - rude coworkers, impossible clients, cluttered desk, shifting work schedule. These seem inevitable but there are ways to address and manage them well.One strict rule: go home on time. Working extended hours will not make you more productive. It will also keep you from your child longer which can worsen your separation anxiety. I know I miss my baby all the time and it's sometimes too hard to get up and leave for work. I just think about why I need and want to work. To keep me focused in the office, I take my 15-minute breaks and use that to get updates from home. At least I know she is safe and well and may not really be missing me. Venting out and listening to others help me see things from a different perspective. Sharing wonderful and funny misadventures of your kids with another mother that has the same work stress as yours (yeah, I can hear her shout on the phone right across the hall), that's hours worth of therapy for you. And you just end up being happy and laughing together. Maybe even swapping baby recipes.If you have talked to me recently or read my previous posts, you know I had been thinking of working from home. That time may come. For now, I enjoy working in the office. There are challenges for sure. Our companies can help ease this process. Attend those wellness programs, enroll in a new training, take advantage of the day care and use flextime well. Even if your company does not offer these services, know that you can make your own little space of happiness in your workplace. That picture frame or even a collage of you kid's pictures right next to a succulent on your table is your oasis. A better quality of life in the workplace makes for a productive and happy working mom. a happy mom makes for happy kids and a happy family.This post is part of International Quality of Life BlogIt Day, sponsored by Sodexo. For more information about #QoL, visit Sodexo’s Quality of Life Observer websiteOne strict rule: go home on time. Working extended hours will not make you more productive. It will also keep you from your child longer which can worsen your separation anxiety. I know I miss my baby all the time and it's sometimes too hard to get up and leave for work. I just think about why I need and want to work. To keep me focused in the office, I take my 15-minute breaks and use that to get updates from home. At least I know she is safe and well and may not really be missing me. Venting out and listening to others help me see things from a different perspective. Sharing wonderful and funny misadventures of your kids with another mother that has the same work stress as yours (yeah, I can hear her shout on the phone right across the hall), that's hours worth of therapy for you. And you just end up being happy and laughing together. Maybe even swapping baby recipes.If you have talked to me recently or read my previous posts, you know I had been thinking of working from home. That time may come. For now, I enjoy working in the office. There are challenges for sure. Our companies can help ease this process. Attend those wellness programs, enroll in a new training, take advantage of the day care and use flextime well. Even if your company does not offer these services, know that you can make your own little space of happiness in your workplace. That picture frame or even a collage of you kid's pictures right next to a succulent on your table is your oasis. A better quality of life in the workplace makes for a productive and happy working mom. a happy mom makes for happy kids and a happy family.This post is part of International Quality of Life BlogIt Day, sponsored by Sodexo. For more information about #QoL, visit Sodexo’s Quality of Life Observer websiteVenting out and listening to others help me see things from a different perspective. Sharing wonderful and funny misadventures of your kids with another mother that has the same work stress as yours (yeah, I can hear her shout on the phone right across the hall), that's hours worth of therapy for you. And you just end up being happy and laughing together. Maybe even swapping baby recipes.If you have talked to me recently or read my previous posts, you know I had been thinking of working from home. That time may come. For now, I enjoy working in the office. There are challenges for sure. Our companies can help ease this process. Attend those wellness programs, enroll in a new training, take advantage of the day care and use flextime well. Even if your company does not offer these services, know that you can make your own little space of happiness in your workplace. That picture frame or even a collage of you kid's pictures right next to a succulent on your table is your oasis. A better quality of life in the workplace makes for a productive and happy working mom. a happy mom makes for happy kids and a happy family.This post is part of International Quality of Life BlogIt Day, sponsored by Sodexo. For more information about #QoL, visit Sodexo’s Quality of Life Observer websiteIf you have talked to me recently or read my previous posts, you know I had been thinking of working from home. That time may come. For now, I enjoy working in the office. There are challenges for sure. Our companies can help ease this process. Attend those wellness programs, enroll in a new training, take advantage of the day care and use flextime well. Even if your company does not offer these services, know that you can make your own little space of happiness in your workplace. That picture frame or even a collage of you kid's pictures right next to a succulent on your table is your oasis. A better quality of life in the workplace makes for a productive and happy working mom. a happy mom makes for happy kids and a happy family.This post is part of International Quality of Life BlogIt Day, sponsored by Sodexo. For more information about #QoL, visit Sodexo’s Quality of Life Observer websiteThis post is part of International Quality of Life BlogIt Day, sponsored by Sodexo. For more information about #QoL, visit Sodexo’s Quality of Life Observer website
In addition, according to Sodexho, a worldwide leader in Quality of Life Services, there are 6 aspects of Quality of Life that businesses can focus on to drive individual and collective performance.
Social Interaction – factors that strengthen the bonds of relationships. Examples are access to cultural events, concerts, exhibits, etc. for employees
Ease & Efficiency – implementing programs and services to help employees carry out activities with more ease. Onsite child care facilities and programs that help employees reduce stress
Physical Environment – everything that contributes to an individual’s comfort and sense of safety, from building maintenance to comfortable and safe work spaces
Personal Growth – promoting individual progress and growth. Professional development programs in technology, foreign languages, etc. can help individuals advance their education.
Recognition – allowing an individual to feel truly valued. Helping to research and create recognition programs that truly reward employees for good work
Health & Well-Being – promoting a healthy lifestyle through nutritious meals, a well-balanced diet and exercise. This can include restaurant vouchers and healthy food options, as well on-site exercise facilities or gym memberships
