| The work ethic in the US today seems to push us all | | | | to give employees the right to accept or refuse |
| into working harder and faster than we have ever | | | | overtime work. |
| worked before. The technology that was supposed to | | | | *Making Election Day a holiday, with the understanding |
| make life easier has just added to our work load. With | | | | that Americans need time for civic and political |
| email, instant messaging, Blackberries, and mobile | | | | participation. |
| phones we are all very accessible. There is almost no | | | | *Making it easier for Americans to choose part-time |
| place that we can go where we won't be disturbed! | | | | work. Hourly wage parity and protection of promotions |
| Clients tell me they cancel vacations because they | | | | and pro-rated benefits for part-time workers. |
| don't have time to take them. The ones that take a | | | | Working long hours with little time off is a sacrifice that |
| vacation bring their Blackberry along so they can keep | | | | in my opinion we can not afford. It is during our time off |
| up with their email. Women attorneys tell me they can't | | | | that we relax and that enables us to be more creative. |
| see how children and a family could ever fit into their | | | | (Have you ever gone to bed at night and suddenly |
| lives and still have a thriving law practice. Is it possible | | | | thought of something innovative that you hadn't been |
| to have a successful business and still have a rich full | | | | able to figure out all day?) We lose that creativity if |
| life outside of the office? | | | | we are rushing from one project to another always |
| October 24th is the 65th anniversary of the 40 hour | | | | focused on getting something done. |
| work week. I bet you are working more than 40 hours. | | | | By working those long hours we are also losing |
| Have we taken a step backward? The organization | | | | precious time with our children. The pleasure of being a |
| Take Back Your Time ( ) says, "Millions of Americans | | | | parent is watching our children as they grow. Children |
| are over worked, over scheduled and just plain | | | | thrive when parents stay involved in their lives. Missing |
| stressed out?" Does this sound like you? | | | | time together is a huge sacrifice for both parents and |
| October 24th is also Take Back Your Time Day. The | | | | children. |
| organization that started this day ( 2 years ago has | | | | Community work also suffers when people work long |
| the following agenda: | | | | hours. If you are exhausted by long hours at work, |
| *Guaranteeing paid childbirth leave for all parents. | | | | how will you find time to volunteer for a non profit |
| Today, only 40% of Americans are able to take | | | | organization? |
| advantage of the 12 weeks of unpaid leave provided | | | | Take Action |
| by the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993. | | | | 1. Make an assessment of your life in terms of work |
| *Guaranteeing at least one week of paid sick leave | | | | time versus time off. Are you satisfied with the |
| for all workers. Many Americans work while sick, | | | | balance? What one thing could you do to better honor |
| lowering productivity and endangering other workers. | | | | your own work/life balance distribution? Find a way to |
| *Guaranteeing at least three weeks of paid annual | | | | integrate it into your life. |
| vacation leave for all workers. Studies show that 28% | | | | 2. Investigate What else intrigues you about their |
| of all female employees and 37% of women earning | | | | agenda? Are you interested in helping them? |
| less than $40,000 a year receive no paid vacation at | | | | Think about ways that you might work fewer hours |
| all. | | | | and still accomplish the same or more work. Working |
| *Placing a limit on the amount of compulsory overtime | | | | smarter not harder is often the focus of my coaching |
| work that an employer can impose, with our goal being | | | | work. Call me for a time management diagnostic. |