This slide show is about work life imbalance and how we can make small changes to over come it. Dr. Anita Subramaniam has emphasized the need to change the way we look at things around us and focus on the important and ignore the trivia to gain a better work life balance.
2. Examples
• Before I was married this is how I
went to work
• After marriage, things changed….
– I started cooking
– I had less time for personal grooming
– I had more housework to take care of
Dr. Anita M. Subramaniam
Balancing Work & Family
3. Examples
• After children, there was a metamorphosis
– My husband traveled at least 28 days in a month
– I gained weight, no time for self grooming
– I lost my temper several times a day
– I had no time for breakfast most days
– I started thriving on junk food
– My hair turned completely white
– I slept less and less every night
– I was tired at work
– I looked ten years older
– I could not focus on work
– I had no career goals
Dr. Anita M. Subramaniam
Balancing Work & Family
4. I decided to change
• Policy for everything in the US
– Children have no time sense/sense of
urgency
• Policies at home
– Children love to do what adults do
Dr. Anita M. Subramaniam
Balancing Work & Family
5. Mr. Hurry & Mr. Calm
Dr. Anita M. Subramaniam
Balancing Work & Family
6. The Story
Mr. Hurry is always on the run
He works long hours but never finishes his tasks on
time
He is unhappy, tired, and unsure of himself
He loves to be with his family; but he never has
sufficient time
Dr. Anita M. Subramaniam
Balancing Work & Family
7. The Story
Mr. Calm plans his work
He is focused
He completes his job on time
He leaves work early and spends time with his
family
Dr. Anita M. Subramaniam
Balancing Work & Family
9. • Do you spend more time at work than you
would like to?
• Do you think about work when you are at
home?
• Do you spend more time commuting to
work than you spend with your children in a
day?
• Do you spend weekends at work?
• Do you lose your temper at home that is
due to stress pileup at work?
• Do you feel upset/anxious because of
what is happening at work?
• Does work negatively affect your personal
life?
Dr. Anita M. Subramaniam
Balancing Work & Family
10. • Are you late often to work because of
family situation?
• Do you worry about your children
when at work?
• Do you take time off from work to take
care of children/sick family members?
• Do you grapple for time at work
because of family demands?
• Do you feel tired when you come to
work?
Dr. Anita M. Subramaniam
Balancing Work & Family
11. Do you think it is time to change?
Research Says:
• Concerns at home influence productivity at work
• Concerns at work influence harmony at home
• More women at work than a decade ago
• Opt Out Revolution - women opt out work for
family
• Fathering Deficit on the increase
• Higher rates of alcohol use, smoking, & drug
use
• Sleep disorders
• Problems in physical relationships
• Workplace violence and temper on the increase
Dr. Anita M. Subramaniam
Balancing Work & Family
12. What you can do….
@ workplace
Work expands to fit time allotted
(Parkinson’s Law), so…
• Change work habits
• Prioritize
• Plan your time – important vs. urgent
• Organize
• Don’t procrastinate
These can increase productivity
Dr. Anita M. Subramaniam
Balancing Work & Family
13. Work with your colleagues…
• Understand their needs
• Allow them to grow
• Spend time with them
• Teach them to perform better
• Don’t micromanage
• Appreciate new ideas and talents
• Show you care
Dr. Anita M. Subramaniam
Balancing Work & Family
14. What institutions are doing..
Introducing workshops on Work/Family
Balance
Understand alternate work schedules:
– flex time,
– telecommuting,
– shift swap,
– limits on overtime,
– compressed workweek etc.
Consideration of family needs
Dr. Anita M. Subramaniam
Balancing Work & Family
15. What are your family demands?
Are you able to satisfy them?
Dr. Anita M. Subramaniam
Balancing Work & Family
16. What you can do…
@ home….
Work activities
Don’t sweat the small stuff
Dr. Anita M. Subramaniam
Balancing Work & Family
17. Don’t neglect your spouse …
• Your spouse is an important person in
your life
• Do not take him/her for granted
• Share views not show anger
• Understand his/her needs
• Let him/her know you care
• Spend special time
• Talk over issues
Dr. Anita M. Subramaniam
Balancing Work & Family
18. Children come first…
• Understand your children’s needs
• Express your care and love
• Laugh off children’s pranks they don’t last long
• Allot more time for them
• Plan activities you can do with them
• Joke & play with them
• Tell them stories
• Read to them at bed time
• Share your knowledge
• Discipline them when you have to
Dr. Anita M. Subramaniam
Balancing Work & Family
19. Personally…
• Eat healthy but easy to cook meals
• Take care of your health
• Learn to relax
• Follow a hobby you enjoy
• Pamper yourself
• Develop a sense of humor
• Prioritize family needs and demands
• Entertain friends and family W/ family
• Love yourself
Dr. Anita M. Subramaniam
Balancing Work & Family
20. It is always time to celebrate
• Past is history, future is mystery and
present is all we have and that is why is
it called The “Present”
Celebrate your life… nothing is more
important than happiness
Dr. Anita M. Subramaniam
Balancing Work & Family
