work/life balance: making it workwork/life balance ... - iasa 2015...work-life balance does not mean...

Work/Life Balance: Making it WorkWork/Life Balance: Making it Work

S i 521Session 521

IASA 87TH ANNUAL EDUCATIONAL CONFERENCE & BUSINESS SHOW

Speaker Information

Session LeaderSession LeaderCheryl Levesque, CPA, CIA, FLMIPartner, Risk Advisory, Insurance Services GroupDixon Hughes Goodman LLPDixon Hughes Goodman LLPCharlotte, NC

Panel MembersPanel MembersCheryl C. Sorensen William SofskyDirector, Financial Planning Chief Accounting Officer

& A l i S Gl b l Lif A i& Analysis Scor Global Life Americas Assurant, Inc. Charlotte, NCAtlanta, GA


What Does Work-Life Balance Mean?

Lif i b l i t Life is a balancing act Generally, defined as having enough time and/or support to do, to

handle, to manage … our work commitments or personal ibilitiresponsibilities

Work-Life balance does not mean an equal balance Your best individual work-life balance will vary over time There is no perfect, one-size fits all, balance you should be striving for Most companies now offer various work-life programs


Questions

Panel Question: Audience Question:Panel Question: Generally, how would you define

work-life balance?

Audience Question: Do you believe individuals are

penalized for utilizing offered work life balance programs?

What type of work-life balance programs are offered at your

?

work-life balance programs?

company?

Are these programs normally utilized?


Can You Have It All?

Balance alone isn’t the key to success, happiness, and productivity.

1. Balance requires carving pieces of our lives into individual portions, which is not unrealistic

2 Sacrifices on the work front or home front or both are inevitable2. Sacrifices, on the work front or home front or both, are inevitable — and there’s nothing wrong with that

3. Being ok with these sacrifices is key; working individuals must rid themselves of the guiltthemselves of the guilt

4. Communication is key...your colleagues and family must be aware of and buy in with the plan or stress will be created


Adding Up the Numbers

*While women are making great progress on the career front 70% believe the concept of success atcareer front, 70% believe the concept of success at both home and work is a myth.

According to career strategist and author Megan Dalla-Caminadocumented in her Getting Real About Having It All survey: 70% of woman are struggling with well-beinggg g g 40% say they are “hanging on by a thread” 30% feel they have all of the things they need and want Only 16% are very satisfied with their lives overall Only 16% are very satisfied with their lives overall 66% would like a better career, but 47% would like more time to

themselves.


*According to the Forbes article “You Can't Have It All: 40% Of Women Professionals Are 'Hanging On By A Thread‘”

Gender Neutral

Do women have it harder then men? *

Per numerous surveys, the statistics do not support these traditional myths.

Approximately 50% of men and 56% of women find balancing work and family “very” or “somewhat difficult”.• Always feeling rushed• Don’t get enough time with their kids


*According to the Huff Post article “Work-Life Balance Affects Men and women Alike”

Questions

Panel Question: Audience Question:Panel Question: What issues do you struggle with

in trying to “have it all” or not “lose it all” in regards to your career

Audience Question: Is work-life balance demonstrated

from the top down in your companies?it all in regards to your career,

your family and friends, your financial stability because of the regular conflicts that arise

companies?

regular conflicts that arise between being a good employee and a responsible parent?


Forget About Balance…Must Make Choices

Choices do not guarantee ThemesChoices do not guarantee complete control Life throws curve balls.

N d l t h l th

Themes Defining Success for Yourself Managing Technology

B ildi S t N t k t Need a plan to help manage these challenges while staying connected to their familiesL k t bi k d h

Building Support Networks at Work and at Home

Traveling or Relocating, l ti l Look to combine work and home so

as not to lose themselves, their loved ones, or their foothold on success

selectively Collaborating with Your Partner

success Those who have been successful

have focused on five major themes.


*Excerpt from the Harvard Business Review article “Manage Your Work, Manage Your Life”

Defining Success for Yourself

Define Work/Life “Wins”Define Work/Life WinsYou have to define what success means to you and understand that your definition will change over time.How that is defined is different for each individualSuccess is defined both professional and personallyProfessional success could be defined as individual

achievement, having passion for their work, receiving respect, and making a difference, organizational achievement and financial achievementfinancial achievement.Personal success could be defined as rewarding relationships a

good family and importance of friends and community.



Questions

Panel Question: Audience Question:Panel Question: How do you define professional

and personal success in your life?

Audience Question: How often you think an individual

should revisit their definition of professional and personalprofessional and personal success?


Managing Technology

Deciding When Where Should Determine:Deciding When, Where, and How to be Accessible Ongoing challange to

Should Determine: How much to make yourself

available to your team

corral e-mails, text messages, voice mails, and other communications

Be honest with yourself about how much you can multitask

Build relationships and trust and other communications Many individuals use

communications

through face time Keep your in-box under control

technology to be in two places at once



Questions

Panel Question: Audience Question:Panel Question: How have you defined your

accessibility protocol?

Audience Question: Do you believe that always being

plugged in can erode performance?

What has been the challenges in adhering to that protocol as issues

i / d dli h?

performance?

arise / deadlines approach?


Building Support Networks at Work and at Home

Requirement for a Strong Network of Behind-the-Scenes Supporters Tactical Support Groceries cooking helping the children Tactical Support - Groceries, cooking, helping the children Emotional Support – Outlet to vent when dealing with

something crazy or irritating at workg y g Professional Support - Trusted colleagues serve as

valuable sounding boards



Questions

Panel Question: Audience Question:Panel Question: What type of support do you

utilize in the three main support areas?

Audience Question: Should you mix personal and

professional networks since you have to draw from both of themareas?

Tactical Emotional Professional

have to draw from both of them anyway?

Professional


Traveling or Relocating

Managing Your Location When individuals decide whether to travel or relocate

(internationally or domestically), their home lives play a huge part Studies show many women report cutting back on business Studies show many women report cutting back on business

trips after having children, and several executives of both sexes said they had refused to relocate when their children

d lwere adolescents



Questions

Panel Question: Audience Question:Panel Question: How have you handled requests

to travel or relocate in your career?

Audience Question: How have you handled it when

conflict has arisen between what is good for your career and whatcareer?

If you have turned down a t d f l lik it h d

is good for your career and what is good for your personal life?

request, do you feel like it had an impact on your career or future opportunities?


Collaborating with Your Partner

Complementary RelationshipsComplementary Relationships Need to have a shared vision of success for everyone at

home—not just for yourself. A partner’s support may come in many forms, but what it

almost always boils down to making sure the individual manages his or her own human capitalmanages his or her own human capital Partners can help individuals keep their eyes on what

matters, budget their time and energy, live healthfully, and make deliberate choices—sometimes tough ones—about work, travel, household management, and community involvement.



Questions

Panel Question: Audience Question:Panel Question: How do you manage your human

capital? Do you use your partner to assist?

Audience Question: What type of support has been the

biggest contributor to the success of your career?to assist? of your career?


Being a Mentor

Mentoring Others within Your OrganizationMentoring Others within Your Organization Executives and other members of management should

ensure these themes are discussed and known by their t ffstaff

Leading by example is a powerful tool in ensuring a clear, consistent message across the organizationconsistent message across the organization. Helping to set clear expectations with staff with help them

set boundaries.


Questions

Panel Question:Panel Question: How have you mentored others in your organization on work-life

balance considerations?

Have you noticed a larger emphasis on work-life balance in recruiting new talent?

If so, what has been the focus?


Contact Information

Cheryl Levesque, CPA, CIA, FLMIPartner, Risk Advisory, Insurance Services GroupDixon Hughes Goodman214 N Tryon Street Suite 2200214 N. Tryon Street, Suite 2200Charlotte, NC 28202704-367-5501C @[email protected]

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work/life balance: making it workwork/life balance ... - iasa 2015...work-life balance does not mean...

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