At 25 I chose to have it all - a balance of work, career and life as well as family. Did I? Have I? Will I? I know I have worked long and hard, sometimes doing 3 jobs, outside the home.
"New research shows that nearly one in five Australian women works 10 or more hours each week than their job requires. And the extra time in the office is taking its toll on their wellbeing. Fifty per cent of working women struggle to balance the demands of work and family life, according to results from the Community and Public Sector Union's annual What Women Want survey. Of the 9,000 participants, the majority aged between 25-54 years, 20 per cent admitted they were unhappy with their current work-life balance situation. (bodyandsoul.com.au)
These days they suggest you should work smarter not necessarily longer. According to another article in the Advertiser Monday all we need is to be more 'prescriptive' about what we want and how we will achieve it - and visualise and place reminders about the home and at work, to 'jog' our memory about what we have resolved to do with, and in our life.
I've worked at home, in the office, part time, full time, flexibly, fractions of time, contracts and substantives - always hoping to progress in my job and 'love what I do'. I have made work choices to support my children, family and career (hopefully in that order) and nearly always because they are satisfying, challenging and I feel I can 'make a difference' to individuals, groups and a workplace. Rarely though have I felt entirely safe and confident in the choices and actions I have taken to ensure financial security and independence and live a life I would like to 'become accustomed to'.
Despite being able to work at home during some parts of my career, this has never really been an acceptable or respected practice. Workplace health and safety, team work, micro managers have all been part of the culture of long hours, office (9 - 5 and desk/computer) bound.
I have fought for flexibility I need or want and felt guilty - either because of my own expectations 'to be all things to all people' or the assumptions of others that flexible work practices pose a threat and barrier to productive and efficient work. I've fought the 'war' with many a manager and only once comfortably 'won the battle'. I've tested their perceptions and taken steps to obtain a balance to ensure healthy relationships and effective communication.
It seems that so long as a person is in the 'office' or in front of the computer, seen or heard tapping away on the keys - responding to 100 emails a day or engaging in conversations; often of a personal nature, then you are present and accounted for. How though is this efficient or productive?
Many job roles these days do not require a constant vigil from the office - of course client/customer services requires a physical presence however even some of these can now be 'virtual' or carried out 'home and away' from the office. Perhaps even retail, hospitality, training/education and community services and health have capacity or opportunity for working outside of the primary 'workplace' eg managers or staff who engage in planning or activities other than direct 'care and service'.
Research now includes the benefits of an environment that supports our creativity, life purpose or productivity (says she looking out over the waves rolling on the sand). Working at home, a cafe or even 'outdoors' can mean less travel, better nutrition and better health - leading to more efficiency and productivity and improving the bottom line for the employer. Take a look at some of the costs and benefits of working from home or 'telecommuting' http://www.globalworkplaceanalytics.com/resources/costs-benefits
Have you heard of the 'digital economy and national broad band roll out'? If you want to know more, or want to 'argue your cause' for working at home check this out http://www.telework.gov.au/for_employees - or check here if you are one of my 'early childhood' colleagues http://www.earlychildhoodaustralia.org.au/projects/digital-business-kits/digital-business-kit-telework.html
This has been my 'vision' and in fact practice for many years and while feeling threatened or challenged I have never truly been at risk of losing my job and have maintained relationships, networks and ensured quality 'service and training provision'. And I have never felt isolated and usually feel more motivated when balancing working from home with 'the office'.
Have I risked my health and safety? Well surely no more and probably less than sitting 7 hours at a desk, being in a workplace with sick people or losing time catching up on other people lives, and them mine!
By the way, if you are reading this and I work with you, these are the moments I truly value about being in the workplace (office) - we call them the 'water cooler' conversations which often lead to satisfying professional conversations and development. Again though it is possible to achieve a high level of satisfaction communicating 'on line' or in a cafe. I have become closer to some of my colleagues recently through Facebook (where's that 'like' button?)
So...have I really achieved a work life balance? Perhaps I have minimised some stress by working at home or avoided some workplace conflicts by working away from the office (perhaps even 'selectively'). I have been there often when my children have needed me - equally I have not been there! I have shown to managers I can do the job well and even improve quality - I have discussed the issues with managers (related to working away from the office), kept them informed and explored options. I have engaged in WHS inspections and clarified my job roles.
I am satisfied I do not owe my employer 'time or money' - I have at times 'given them more of me' and not given myself or my family enough 'time or attention' - I have never been without work, I have mostly enjoyed my work and I am proud of my achievements. So to some degree I have been successful, both in my career and financially.
My children and family are supportive of my choices, and always have been - my children are moving on through their 'milestones' of life as adults and this is when I know I have done my best work, achieved great things and been successful in creating a work, life and career balance.
So I'd say the answer is yes! I chose to have it all - and so far, I think I have - and now that my family 'is all grown up', how will I continue to manage a work/life balance into the future, heading to retirement - will I be able to live a lifestyle to which I am, or yet to become 'accustomed'!?
