All Work and No Play? No Way.

According to the Wall Street Journal, "Companies are trying to bring more play to the workday. Striving to make everyday business tasks more engaging, a growing number of firms, including International Business Machines Corp. and consulting firm Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Ltd., are incorporating elements of videogames into the workplace.

 
They're deploying reward and competitive tactics commonly found in the gaming world to make tasks such as management training, data entry and brainstorming seem less like work. Employees receive points or badges for completing jobs or meeting time limits for assignments, for example. Companies also may use leaderboards, which let players view one another's scores, to encourage friendly competition and motivate performance, experts say."
 
Adding play into work is one more way that employers are trying to think "outside the box" to acheive employee productivity and motivation. With a younger, more dynamic workforce coming in to take the place of retiring baby boomers, companies have to get creative and go beyond traditional "perks." Other options cutting edge employers are offering include:
 
• Travel Benefits: Many large national and multi national companies regularly allocate money toward corporate transportation and apartments. Now many are offering those same resources to employees during their off-time as well.
 
• Flexible Schedule: Employers are starting to realize that as long as the work is getting done, they do not care where or when. As a result, telecommuting and flex-time are becoming more and more prevalent.
 
• Free Lunch: Some large companies, inspired by employers always at the forefront of the "best of" lists, provide complimentary food and beverages for employees.
 
• Fitness Benefits: Many companies have an on-site fitness center or offer employees a fitness benefit. The next logical step is to encourage employees to use the facilities by making it part of the corporate culture. The result will likely be healthier employees – upping productivity and decreasing incidence of work injury.
 
• Getting Involved: An increasing number of employers are sponsoring community service days or encouraging some type of community outreach during work time. It is a great way for employees to connect with their community without sacrificing time or their paycheck – which might otherwise be prevent them from doing so. 
 
These are just a few examples of ways that employers can show their employees that they are valued and encourage them to take breaks and have fun to increase productivity. While not all of the above are a good fit in all industries, the basic principle is the same: happy employees often make the best (most productive) employees.
 
DISCLAIMER: All information on this website are provided for informational purposes only and are not intended to be construed as legal advice. The Law Offices of Bradley S. Dworkin shall not be liable for any errors or inaccuracies contained herein, or any actions taken in reliance thereon.

Study Says Working Moms Are Happier, Healthier

A recent study has found that working mothers – even mothers who work part-time – appear to be healthier and happier than stay-at-home moms. 

Yahoo Shine reports, "according to the study, 'Mothers' part-time employment: Associations with mother and family well-being' (which was published recently in the American Psychological Association's 'Journal of Family Psychology'), being employed has multiple benefits for moms — and for their families. After interviewing hundreds of mothers repeatedly over the course of a decade, the researchers found that those who worked 32 hours per week or less were more sensitive to their kids' needs, less likely to have symptoms of depression, and more likely to split household duties with their spouses than mothers who were not employed. And, the researchers found, even going to full-time status didn't adversely affect working moms' well-being." 
 
The findings of this study are particularly interesting – and encouraging – to moms who were unwilling or unable to stay home with their children full time. The decision whether to be a stay-at-home mom is not an easy one, but this study may help assuage mothers' guilt over going back to work. 
 
Additionally, as workplaces become increasingly flexible it is possible for moms to sometimes work from home – minimizing the time away from their families by eliminating costly and time consuming commutes. This may help improve mental and physical health, decreasing stress and subsequently incidence of work injury. 
 
Other ways of acheiving your work-life balance, decreasing stress and avoiding work injury include:
 
  • Ask for Help: It is called work-life balance for a reason; and it is not easy to acheive especially on your own. If you are feeling overwhelmed, ask for help rebalancing – from your boss, coworkers, or spouse. Overwork can lead to fatigue, mistakes, and ultimately work injury.
  • Take Care of You: A healthy diet, exercise, and getting enough sleep are the best ways to avoid becoming tired, overworked and sustaining a subsequent work injury.
     
  • Give it a Rest: Take breaks as often as necessary. Additionally, switching between tasks on your to-do list can give your brain and body a rest, avoiding repetitive trauma or other work injury.
 
DISCLAIMER: All information on this website are provided for informational purposes only and are not intended to be construed as legal advice. The Law Offices of Bradley S. Dworkin shall not be liable for any errors or inaccuracies contained herein, or any actions taken in reliance thereon.