When you think of work/life conflicts, you may tend to
think of people in lower levels of organizations who might
not have as much flexibility in determining their workdays.
However, a recent survey of 179 CEOs revealed that many
of them struggle with this issue. For instance, 31 percent
said they have a high level of stress in their lives; 47 percent
admitted that they would sacrifice some compensation for
more personal time; and 16 percent considered changing
jobs in the past 6 months to reduce stress or sacrifices made
in their personal lives.
Most of these surveyed executives conceded that they
had given up, and continue to give up, a lot to get to the
top in their organizations. They are often tired from the
extensive and exhausting travel their jobs demand, not to
mention an average 60-hour workweek. Yet most feel the
climb to the CEO position was worth whatever sacrifices
they have had to make.
Jean Stone, while not representative of the group, indicates
the price that some of these executives have had to
pay. As senior VP and chief operating officer of Dukane
Corporation, an Illinois-based manufacturer of electronic
communications equipment, Stone describes herself as highly
achievement-oriented. She has an intense focus on her job
and admits to having lost sight of her personal life. Recently
think of people in lower levels of organizations who might
not have as much flexibility in determining their workdays.
However, a recent survey of 179 CEOs revealed that many
of them struggle with this issue. For instance, 31 percent
said they have a high level of stress in their lives; 47 percent
admitted that they would sacrifice some compensation for
more personal time; and 16 percent considered changing
jobs in the past 6 months to reduce stress or sacrifices made
in their personal lives.
Most of these surveyed executives conceded that they
had given up, and continue to give up, a lot to get to the
top in their organizations. They are often tired from the
extensive and exhausting travel their jobs demand, not to
mention an average 60-hour workweek. Yet most feel the
climb to the CEO position was worth whatever sacrifices
they have had to make.
Jean Stone, while not representative of the group, indicates
the price that some of these executives have had to
pay. As senior VP and chief operating officer of Dukane
Corporation, an Illinois-based manufacturer of electronic
communications equipment, Stone describes herself as highly
achievement-oriented. She has an intense focus on her job
and admits to having lost sight of her personal life. Recently
divorced after a 10-year marriage, she acknowledges that
“career and work pressures were a factor in that.”
How much emphasis on work is too much? What is the
right balance between work and personal life? How much
would you be willing to give up to be CEO of a major company?
And if you were a CEO, what ethical responsibilities,
if any, do you think you have to help your employees balance
their work/family obligations?
“career and work pressures were a factor in that.”
How much emphasis on work is too much? What is the
right balance between work and personal life? How much
would you be willing to give up to be CEO of a major company?
And if you were a CEO, what ethical responsibilities,
if any, do you think you have to help your employees balance
their work/family obligations?
I think it all depends on the employee...It is a matter of drawing a border-line between work and life...of course, life is for doing work only...but is working for the organisation is the only work in the life??...I think devoting time to your family members/relatives/friends/ECAs are also certain kind of works....There is no limit to the success one can get in their career...but there has a certain limit of people's stress coping capability which varies from one person to another...Taking too much stresses can lead to burn-out which is a problem for the org itself...moreover, health related issues can be there if stress is higher...so, every organisation should try to create a atmosphere so that employees realize that they have ample opportunity to balance both their personal life and occupational life without hampering their chances of getting promoted/rewarded...
ReplyDeleteWithout ensuring a proper balance between all spheres of life for its employees; a company can never hope to reach the top in its field. Compensations and reputations do matter, but only upto a point. After a point; an individual might have to take a call between being happy and satisfied or being a high achiever.
ReplyDeleteAccording to my understanding; achieving the right balance between professional and personal life is tough but not impossible.
Didn't give me any insight but living a life is in our hand.
ReplyDeleteWhen you think of work/life conflicts.
CHK dis out:
http://rdmyspace.blogspot.com/2011/02/work-life-balance.html
it is not meant 4 giving ny insight....:)...it throws up an issue to contemplate...
ReplyDelete