Building Strong Families – Balancing Responsibilities Overhead #1A
Changing
Roles
equal opportunity/ADA institution
Building Strong Families – Balancing Responsibilities Overhead #1B
Changing
Roles
equal opportunity/ADA institution
Building Strong Families – Balancing Responsibilities Overhead #2
How to Have a
Really Bad Day
(without even trying)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Plan too many things to do.
Refuse to be flexible.
Expect things to be perfect.
Worry about everything.
Try to do it all.
Take everything personally.
Put off doing important jobs.
Lose your sense of humor.
equal opportunity/ADA institution
Building Strong Families – Balancing Responsibilities Overhead #3A
Job Factors
Can Affect
Balance
•
•
•
•
•
•
Number of hours worked
Schedule
Control over hours
Job independence
Involvement in the job
Job security
equal opportunity/ADA institution
Building Strong Families – Balancing Responsibilities Overhead #3B
Job Factors
Can Affect
Balance
•
•
•
•
•
•
Job changes
Demands of the job
Job climate
Co-workers
Supervisors
Support services
equal opportunity/ADA institution
Building Strong Families – Balancing Responsibilities Overhead #4A
Family Factors
Can Affect
Balance
• How good the relationship is
• If the partners support each
other
• If and how the partner is
employed
• How family members divide
up the work
•
Adapted from Friedman, Dana E. (1991). Linking Work-Family Issues to the
Bottom Line. Conference Board Report #962, New York, NY.
equal opportunity/ADA institution
Building Strong Families – Balancing Responsibilities Overhead #4B
Family Factors
Can Affect
Balance
• How big the family is
• How old the children are
• If other adults live with the
family
• If a family has support
services
•
Adapted from Friedman, Dana E. (1991). Linking Work-Family Issues to the
Bottom Line. Conference Board Report #962, New York, NY.
equal opportunity/ADA institution
Building Strong Families – Balancing Responsibilities Overhead #5
Effective
Communication
Use “I” messages.
Find a good time to talk.
Stick to the point.
Be honest, but do not blame.
Value what others think and
feel.
6. Accept feelings and don’t
judge them.
7. Notice body language.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
equal opportunity/ADA institution
Building Strong Families – Balancing Responsibilities Overhead #6A
How to give jobs
to others
(delegate)
1. Learn to let go.
2. Delegate, but don’t stick
others with jobs you don’t
like.
3. Ask for what you need.
4. Involve others.
equal opportunity/ADA institution
Building Strong Families – Balancing Responsibilities Overhead #6B
How to give jobs
to others
(delegate)
5. Support others and be
positive.
6. Let others succeed.
7. Accept the way that other
people do things.
8. Show that you appreciate
others.
equal opportunity/ADA institution
Building Strong Families – Balancing Responsibilities Overhead #7A
How to Negotiate
to Solve Problems
1. Communicate clearly.
2. Respect the other person.
3. Define the problem clearly.
4. Look for solutions from
many places.
equal opportunity/ADA institution
Building Strong Families – Balancing Responsibilities Overhead #7B
How to Negotiate
to Solve Problems
5. Try for win/win solutions.
6. Work together until you can
agree.
7. Do what you say you will
do.
8. Keep up a good relationship.
equal opportunity/ADA institution
Building Strong Families – Balancing Responsibilities Overhead #8
Balancing
Workplace and
Family Needs
Employers can help if they:
• Make work plans and benefits
more flexible
• Revise their sick leave policy
• Help families care for
dependents
• Become more sensitive to
family issues
• Help families find the resources
they need
equal opportunity/ADA institution
Building Strong Families – Balancing Responsibilities Overhead #9A
Advocacy:
Employees Working
for Policy Change
Action steps employees can
take:
• State the issue.
• Gather facts.
• Get support from coworkers.
• Say exactly what they
want.
equal opportunity/ADA institution
Building Strong Families – Balancing Responsibilities Overhead #9B
Advocacy:
Employees Working
for Policy Change
Action steps employees can
take:
5. Talk to decision-makers.
6. Work with others.
7. Believe that things can
change.
8. Refuse to give up.
equal opportunity/ADA institution
Building Strong Families – Balancing Responsibilities Overhead #10
A Family
Council
1. Meets regularly
2. Everyone can take part and
be heard
3. All ideas and issues matter
4. Solve problems
5. Plan for positive activities
6. Learn to work with each
other
7. Take turns leading the group
equal opportunity/ADA institution
Building Strong Families – Balancing Responsibilities Overhead #11A
What to Do to
Have a More
Balanced Life
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Communicate
Delegate
Negotiate
Advocate
Say “no”
Be flexible
Form a council
equal opportunity/ADA institution
Building Strong Families – Balancing Responsibilities Overhead #11B
What to Do to
Have a More
Balanced Life
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
Simplify
Plan ahead
Set priorities
Have fun
Laugh
Exercise
Value yourself
equal opportunity/ADA institution