Compressed Working Week
With four days to enjoy spending with my family over Easter, I spent the time relaxing and recharging. I was given the opportunity to think - Is Work Life Balance Achievable?
I met @Wonderwebby via Instant Messaging recently, and she commented on my last blog - do we achieve balance or do we simply put in 110% to everything we do.
I think both. For me balance is about being able to make choices and being able to throw myself into everything I chose to do with commitment and dedication. This means a choice to protect the happiness and well being of my family and to pursue a career that inspires and challenges me to grow and develop. The passion I have for my family, converts to enthusiasm and energy in the work force - the enjoyment and reward I take out of my career converts to sheer joy that I bring back into my household - integration at last!
When I returned to work after my third little bambino, I returned five days and have to say I was finding it difficult to keep a smile on my face - something seemed to be missing and I felt that the pendulum of life ever so gently tipped in favour of work instead of my family. So I reviewed my options and my divine and understanding manager agreed to enable me to commence a compressed working week, with the option of flexible hours.
Huh? I hear you all asking. OK I am using this blog to try and explain this as simply as possible.
Rather than 5 days I work 4 days and have a 3 day weekend every weekend. I am able to do this because I work 4 long days each week, from 7.30am each day to 6.30pm and then again from 9.30pm onwards. I say onwards because the time I finishes depends on whether I have taken off some time during the day to for instance pick up my daughter from school, go to the gym (sorry I am not one of those mums who bounced back to pre high school weight.......... I have to work on my weight, my health and well have me time to be honest!), or attend a swimming carnival or concert for instance...........
So I have compressed my working week from 5 days into 4 days, and the four days I work have a flexible end time so that I can still meet my family commitments. Get it?
Here is what I like about a compressed working week
1. I feel more involved with my children's life
2. I am happier
3. If I am working on a "meaty" project I can throw myself into it whilst my energy levels and excitement about the project are high
4. I am available to reach colleagues across the globe - in the morning I can be talking to my US contacts, throughout the day my contacts across most of Asia Pacific, and in the evening my contacts in India and Europe. Great when you need an urgent response to a particular issue!!
5. I have a three day weekend every week!
6. I was working the hours anyway - now I have more time to recharge so I am more productive and energised each week!
7. Reduced child care costs - 4 days instead of 5. And you can structure to work more hours once the kids are in bed (with admission, you do need the support of a fabulous partner here! I am lucky!)
Here is what can be difficult
1. They are long hours every week
2. Like all parents - if you have been up all night with a sick baby, the thought of a long working day can be daunting ........... and quite frankly it is tough (I am writing this after 1 hour of sleep for the night ! Ouch!)
3. When you log on again after 3 days, your email can be out of control.............. I do tend to log on over the weekend just to clear the basic requirements and avoid fatigue on Monday morning!
Here is what you need
1. the ability to work responsibly and manage your hours, work and family commitments
2. Supportive family
3. Supportive management and team
4. A desire to want this to work - fueled by a commitment to integrate your work and family life in such a way that the end result is happiness all round.
Aristotle once said "Nothing is so unequal as the equal treatment of unequals".
Isn't it grand not to be boxed into the confines of equal treatment for all!
See you again soon,
Michelle
xx
“The postings on this site are my own and don’t necessarily represent IBM’s positions, strategies or opinions.”
I met @Wonderwebby via Instant Messaging recently, and she commented on my last blog - do we achieve balance or do we simply put in 110% to everything we do.
I think both. For me balance is about being able to make choices and being able to throw myself into everything I chose to do with commitment and dedication. This means a choice to protect the happiness and well being of my family and to pursue a career that inspires and challenges me to grow and develop. The passion I have for my family, converts to enthusiasm and energy in the work force - the enjoyment and reward I take out of my career converts to sheer joy that I bring back into my household - integration at last!
When I returned to work after my third little bambino, I returned five days and have to say I was finding it difficult to keep a smile on my face - something seemed to be missing and I felt that the pendulum of life ever so gently tipped in favour of work instead of my family. So I reviewed my options and my divine and understanding manager agreed to enable me to commence a compressed working week, with the option of flexible hours.
Huh? I hear you all asking. OK I am using this blog to try and explain this as simply as possible.
Rather than 5 days I work 4 days and have a 3 day weekend every weekend. I am able to do this because I work 4 long days each week, from 7.30am each day to 6.30pm and then again from 9.30pm onwards. I say onwards because the time I finishes depends on whether I have taken off some time during the day to for instance pick up my daughter from school, go to the gym (sorry I am not one of those mums who bounced back to pre high school weight.......... I have to work on my weight, my health and well have me time to be honest!), or attend a swimming carnival or concert for instance...........
So I have compressed my working week from 5 days into 4 days, and the four days I work have a flexible end time so that I can still meet my family commitments. Get it?
Here is what I like about a compressed working week
1. I feel more involved with my children's life
2. I am happier
3. If I am working on a "meaty" project I can throw myself into it whilst my energy levels and excitement about the project are high
4. I am available to reach colleagues across the globe - in the morning I can be talking to my US contacts, throughout the day my contacts across most of Asia Pacific, and in the evening my contacts in India and Europe. Great when you need an urgent response to a particular issue!!
5. I have a three day weekend every week!
6. I was working the hours anyway - now I have more time to recharge so I am more productive and energised each week!
7. Reduced child care costs - 4 days instead of 5. And you can structure to work more hours once the kids are in bed (with admission, you do need the support of a fabulous partner here! I am lucky!)
Here is what can be difficult
1. They are long hours every week
2. Like all parents - if you have been up all night with a sick baby, the thought of a long working day can be daunting ........... and quite frankly it is tough (I am writing this after 1 hour of sleep for the night ! Ouch!)
3. When you log on again after 3 days, your email can be out of control.............. I do tend to log on over the weekend just to clear the basic requirements and avoid fatigue on Monday morning!
Here is what you need
1. the ability to work responsibly and manage your hours, work and family commitments
2. Supportive family
3. Supportive management and team
4. A desire to want this to work - fueled by a commitment to integrate your work and family life in such a way that the end result is happiness all round.
Aristotle once said "Nothing is so unequal as the equal treatment of unequals".
Isn't it grand not to be boxed into the confines of equal treatment for all!
See you again soon,
Michelle
xx
“The postings on this site are my own and don’t necessarily represent IBM’s positions, strategies or opinions.”
I know of executive women at IBM who work two days per week, others like yourself who work longer hours. It's all a matter of finding what works for everyone involved.
And I'm sure you'd agree - I think all mums put in 110% whether they work or not :)
(Comment this)
Hints and tips on will power, focus, motivation, organisation would be MUCH appreciated! (Comment this)
Great post - I'm actually writing an article on the rise of the four-day working week (pros and cons) and would love to get some quotes from you for my story.
Feel free to email me at simonradich@hotmail.com and I can email you some more details and a couple of questions.
Cheerio
Simon (Comment this)