All Articles Tagged "work life balance"
To Freelance or Not? The Benefits of Non-Traditional Work
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Modernity brings with it a shift in how we do things. The workplace for example has seen many a changes as more people are able to work from home and find employment on a contractual or freelance basis. This begs the question — What are the benefits of this set up?
Sure when one thinks of freelance work, many fears come to mind about uncertainty with job longevity. On the other hand, many are up for the challenge as it offers some pretty awesome perks. Should you be thinking of taking on employment in a freelance capacity, here are some benefits. Also, be sure to check out the Freelancers Union for perks and tips on becoming a freelancer.
What Successful People Do And Don’t Do On Their Weekends
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There are so many songs dedicated to Friday, because for much of you, Friday is the start to the weekend. But, if you’re like me, sometimes the weekend either goes by too fast, or begins on a non-traditional day. Whether you have a crazy 60-hour work week or work in haphazard shifts, a weekend is a weekend. For successful people in their respective fields of work, these precious days of rest may be better spent by not succumbing to bad habits and using the time wisely. Your mental and physical health is at stake.
‘Leaning In’ Is Not A Custom-Fit For Working Mothers Finds A New Study
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The “lean in” discussion has gone into overdrive. Among the countless debates about whether “leaning in” is a good thing is whether or not it can apply to African-American women (our take) and other female sub-groups. A new study actually says “leaning in” isn’t always the answer for female executives with children.
Research released this month on women in “men’s jobs” in the journal Gender & Society found that “leaning in” is not the same for everyone. And that working overtime to compete with the big boys just doesn’t cut it for every woman.
According to a press release, it confirms that “overwork,” which is defined as working more than 50 hours per week, has become the norm for many Americans, but it has different affects on men and women.
“Over the past thirty years, hours at work—especially in higher income jobs—have increased, and over one-third of men and nearly one-fifth of women in professions work more than a 50-hour week,” found Gender & Society. The report theorized that overwork contributes to the “stalled gender revolution,” resulting in a lack of equality in the workplace. This goes contrary to the “lean in” campaign that Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg has launched, which is focused on the idea that hard-working women will get equal pay and opportunities.
In “Overwork and the Persistence of Gender Segregation in Occupations,” Indiana University sociologist Youngjoo Cha writes that overwork affects men and women differently—especially in fields where there are a lot more men than women to begin with.
According to Dr. Cha, working mothers were 52 percent more likely than other women to leave their jobs if they were working a 50-hour week or more, but only in occupations dominated by men. But Dr. Cha did find that higher education levels make it more likely that women will stay in their jobs. However, they won’t stick around long enough to overcome the discouraging effects of being an overworked mother.
On the other hand, men (fathers or not) and women without children were not more likely to leave their jobs in overworked fields.
The workload hits mothers because, notes Dr. Cha, women continue to have a larger share of the caregiving responsibilities. “Overwork disadvantages women with children in particular. In overworking workplaces, you have to be there or be on call all the time. That expectation can be met by people who have few care giving or community responsibilities and who are not primary caregivers at home,” said Dr. Cha in the report.
Male-dominated professions are more likely to maintain inflexible expectations of overwork, found Dr. Cha. “In my study, not all women with children leave the labor force. When they work long hours, it is the combination of being a mother, working long hours, and being in a male dominated profession that is discouraging,” says Dr. Cha.
Tips For Mompreneurs On How To Juggle Diaper Duty And Deal Making
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Being a professional woman with a thriving career or small business can be overwhelming. Add being a mother as well, and you’d think you’d have to be Superwoman to combine the two.
But mompreneurs are doing it every day. It is possible to be a great mom and a successful business owner. We offer a few organizational tips to help mompreneurs stay on track.
I Now Pronounce You Career Woman and Job! How To Detect When You’re Married To Your Work
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If you haven’t been on a date in ages and find yourself only socializing with people from work, then you might just be married to you career.
According to the 2011 U.S. Census Bureau’s America’s Families and Living Arrangements survey (via The Miami Herald), there are 101 million people in the United States over the age of 18 who are single. This is up from 83 million 10 years ago. And out of those single people, 62 percent of them have never been married and about 2 million of them earn more than $75,000 a year. This most likely means they are spending most of their time earring money, focused on their career and not coupledom.
So how do you know if you are married to your career? Here are nine signs that it may be time to get out and mingle — and solutions on how to have to have a life outside work.
If You Are “Leaning In,” Be Prepared To Compromise
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Everyone is talking about Sheryl Sandberg’s “lean in” movement, but there are some people who aren’t leaning into anything.
The entertainment media has been abuzz with the rumor that Janet Jackson was quitting show business to devote her time to being a wife to her new hubby, billionaire Wissam Al Mana. (The two apparently married last year in a very private ceremony. So private, her family wasn’t invited.) Al Mana is a Qatar native who works in his family’s Middle-East-based Al Mana Retail Group. Janet Jackson is, of course, Janet Jackson. Although this may seem like a throwback to another generation, there still are many women who put their careers on hold or leave them behind in favor being a housewife and/or the primary caregiver for the children. Here are a few modern examples from New York magazine.
According to a partnered survey co-sponsored by ForbesWoman and TheBump.com released a few months ago, a growing number of women see staying home to raise children (while a partner provides financial support) to be something they strive to achieve. According to our survey, 84 percent of working women told ForbesWoman and TheBump that staying home to raise children is a financial luxury they aspire to, reports Forbes.
“I have never regretted or even questioned the decision my husband and I made that I would be the primary caretaker for my children and he would be the primary financial supporter. When we met we were both doing the same job and I retreated to a lesser role in my professional career,” says Dr. Teresa Taylor Williams, founder and owner of TTW Counseling Services, which specializes in behavioral therapy, academic advisement, and life coaching. “I do not regret this decision because I had three mixed-race children in an affluent private school of non-whites and it was good to be present to help my children navigate this challenging environment and also be able be very visible at the school and involved in school events.“
Williams says she believes it is nearly impossible for women to give equally to a career and a happy home — that one will receive less attention. “I consider myself a mother and career woman, but I believe some women do not accept the reality that you cannot do both equally successfully while your children are of a certain age,” explains Williams.
Women need to prioritize, she says. “If you must absolutely be the major bread-winner, then hire the absolute best child care assistant possible,” notes Williams. “If you are making the money, then you can afford to spend on responsible, reliable nannies.”
If you are juggling office and home, try to come up with creative solutions and compromises, advises Williams. “If you are a business owner, make allowances for child care on site,” she suggests. “When my children were young, I had a huge private office that was set up with games, blankets, TV and Barney tapes. The nanny accompanied my children to my office and during lunch I would go to the park across the street and spend precious time with them.”
Dating Tips for the Busy Career Woman
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It’s a wonderful thing to have big dreams and career ambitions. You put extra hours into the office and want to see a return on your hard work. With all of this attention dedicated to your career, are there areas in your life that are lacking?
Too much of a focus on your profession could leave little to no time for romance. How much can you really commit to dating if you are always glued to your job? Come to think of it, when was the last time you went out with someone?
Whether you have been out of the dating game for some time or are trying to find a balance between work and your personal life, here are some tips for the busy career woman.
Balancing Act: How To Have Your Family And A Successful Career
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Wonder Woman may have looked fabulous in her superhero corset, but she didn’t have to deal with the demands of modern society. Statistically speaking, women earn 20 percent less than their male counterparts and have to hustle to make it up the corporate ladder. In the same breath, we are wives and mothers with a responsibility and strong purpose in our homes. Holding down our households is another full-time job that requires may hours and attention.
So the question now arises, how do we manage both? It’s a question that has been on everyone’s lips lately. Can we give our all at work without sacrificing our homes, and vice versa? Is it possible to win the Best Wife and Mother of the Year awards without giving up our chance at a promotion?
While it’s not easy, it is doable with the proper balance of the two. Here are a few tips on ways to have a family life and career.
Mom and Entrepreneur Joanna Davis Manages a Successful Restaurant While Caring for Nine (Yes, Nine) Children
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Restaurants are big business in this country. Most people enjoy at least a couple of meals per week in one, in addition to the fast food restaurants we visit and the high-end restaurants that host our big holiday celebrations and events. According to the National Restaurant Association, the restaurant industry generates an average $1.8 billion on a typical day. And yet, despite all of that , many restaurants fail. Just take a look at Gordon Ramsey’s Kitchen Nightmares for a sampling of the restaurants that don’t make it.
So if you can make a restaurant work, it’s quite an accomplishment. And if you can make it work while raising a family, that an even bigger success.
Joanna Davis is a woman who took her passion for preparing mouth-watering dishes, combined it with her business knowledge, and co-founded the Shrimp Shack Grill with her husband, Max. Located less than half a mile north of I-170 in St. Louis, MO, the Shrimp Shack Grill specializes in all things shrimp and seafood, incorporating some of your favorite foods: okra, collard greens, yams, and potato fries into the mix. These are fresh meals designed to remind them of their grandmothers’ cooking. Hungry yet?
“I am from a big family and Max and I have a big family,” Davis shares at the Shrimp Shack Grill’s official website. She continues, “But it is the memories around the kitchen or in our restaurant that are my most precious.” It’s these memories that Joanna shares with her customers.
While time management and project juggling is challenging for all entrepreneurs, Joanna’s case is a little special. In addition to tracking and managing a budget and staff, Joanna is also mother to nine children. And besides her restaurant business, she also sells her own line of seasonings called “Jo Jo Seasonings.” Flavors include Garlic Parmesan and Rib Rub.
Head Women In Charge: Katrina Parris Pinn Tackles Home Life, the Real Estate Industry, and the International Floral Business
Katrina Parris Flowers New York, a high-end floral boutique and gift shop, was founded in 2002 by husband and wife team, Katrina Parris and Mark Pinn. They offer single-order custom floral delivery across NYC, floral service delivery nationwide, via a consortium of like- minded florists who share the same aesthetic and flowers for weddings, large and small events and personal celebrations.
Katrina Parris Flowers New York has been the subject of many articles over the years in publications such as Time Out New York, O The Oprah Magazine and others. It has been named New York magazine’s “Best Bet,” and has been one of CitySearch’s “Top 10″ Florists in New York City three years running.
We had a chance to catch up with Katrina to discuss what prompted her to start a flower business and how she remains organized, motivated and successful.
