Carrie and Danielle - Latest Comments in This Labor Day, how would you change our work culture?

Re: This Labor Day, how would you change our work culture?

laurie_matthews — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 14:03:35 -0000

A four-day work week or every other Friday off or a 3-day weekend every month - giving people a choice to choose the schedule that works for them! Sick leave that is not grouped with vacation time so you don't force yourself to go to work when you're sick to prevent the loss of vacation time. Better lighting. Support for alternative healthcare! I spend a lot of time and money on acupuncture and health prevention that is not covered, but which keeps me more healthy and productive at work.

Re: This Labor Day, how would you change our work culture?

blume bauer — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 15:21:57 -0000

@ Danielle, I so agree with you, but I have to add 2 hour lunches with that. When employees are happy and less stressed, they perform at much higher ratios.

Re: This Labor Day, how would you change our work culture?

Cindy — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 15:15:02 -0000

1. Equal pay for equal work
2. Pay a liveable wage to everyone - especially administrative workers, janitors, etc... who do so much, and get paid very little
3. 4 day work week - actually, this is quite easy to do; I work at a place where you work two extra hours each day during the week, and then you can take the 5th day off (I only participate in this during the summer months)
4. ban cubicles - I don't see how companies expect anyone to be really productive when you have no privacy and can hear everything happening around you - plus, as one person already stated, they are just plain ugly
5. invest in assessments that are designed to teach you what everyone does well, and then fashioning the work to capitalize on everyone's strengths

Re: This Labor Day, how would you change our work culture?

Xai Vicente Charles — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 08:51:47 -0000

Equal pay for equal work to start. A 4 day week and telecommuting options. 30 days vacation mandatory. And yes, I agree with Danielle on maternity leave. It's ridiculous to leave your baby in 6 weeks to go back to work. Parents should be allowed to stay home for one year. Yup. One year.

Re: This Labor Day, how would you change our work culture?

Carmelle — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 08:47:26 -0000

Minimum 3 weeks vacation per year!
We need to be more like the Europeans where most enjoy at least 4. Although i am a small business owner who can take as much vacation as i want, i can honestly say that i would work for the same money a salaried job would pay me, even LESS, to have time off when i need / want it. I could never go back to the work force simply for the fact that i may only get 2 weeks off per year.

Re: This Labor Day, how would you change our work culture?

Joannie — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 08:46:10 -0000

The first step IS the biggest one - admitting one's powerlessness over the work addiction.

May God be with you as you work the Twelve steps.

Re: This Labor Day, how would you change our work culture?

Ginger — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 01:04:41 -0000

Well put. I have recently had to admit to my own unhealthy (and very unsatisfying) work addiction. I feel as though I have been in an "abusive" relationship. I am still sorting through how to take steps to recover and rebuld in a better way-to gian back a better sense of self, self respect and joy. Certainly not there yet but hope awareness is a first big step.

Re: This Labor Day, how would you change our work culture?

Ginger — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 00:46:20 -0000

I agree. Vacation is a benefit- time earned to decompress and rejuvenate. When it is still expected that you take a laptop, blackberry, etc. it defeats the purpose and is work not a vacation.

Re: This Labor Day, how would you change our work culture?

Danette — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 22:53:08 -0000

Absolutely!

Re: This Labor Day, how would you change our work culture?

Danette — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 22:51:21 -0000

What an overwhelming call for a work culture that nurtures LIFE, be it for parenting, for equality, for vacations or for doing what we love. I echo these sentiments.

That's the kind of world I want to live in.

When everyone can be supported to raise a family, be a valued member of society, take time out to rest and do work that is meaningful to them, imagine the kind of revolution that would occur! Imagine the energy as you walk through a crowd of people who are nurtured, fulfilled, relaxed and valued. Imagine the quality of relationships that might be possible in that world...

Then we could tell our children that they can be anything they want to be, and we would mean it, because we would be living it.

Re: This Labor Day, how would you change our work culture?

Angela — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 22:02:13 -0000

Yes to most everything Danielle wrote, except the 4 day work week, although I agree with the concept behind it (living life in a well rounded manner for the good of all). I think that concept would be better served with extended maternity leave (as mentioned), longer vacation times (a la Europe), greater flexibility all around.

On the idea of banning fluourescent lighting, I'd take it further. As an interior designer, I'm all for beautiful spaces, it enhances the soul, and I think, productivity. I have to laugh at myself when I get too carried away thinking about this, thinking of a comedy movie I once saw where Goldie Hawn played a socialite who felt her philanthropic contribution to society would be to decorate prisons. That was very funny to me, but isn't there some truth to this?

There are few things more depressing to me than poorly maintained cubicle-style workplaces, maybe something out of a non-descript town perhaps an insurance office, where workers sit like lemmings in dull gray lighting, with beige upon dingy beige partitions separating one worker from the next, who sit on cheap task chairs with maroon or teal colored fabric (why always these 2 hideous colors?). For this reason alone, I am unable to work in corporate America, my deathly fear of being relegated to a teal-colored task chair!

Re: This Labor Day, how would you change our work culture?

Julia — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 20:33:52 -0000

I would have loved that life! I applaud you! Being SuzyHomaker is a real art and a ministry, I believe. You should be proud of yourself, Colette!

Re: This Labor Day, how would you change our work culture?

Carrie McCarthy — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 20:04:32 -0000

I agree and man its hard to do.

Re: This Labor Day, how would you change our work culture?

Carrie McCarthy — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 20:03:12 -0000

My in-laws have sabbath every Saturday no matter what! It is lovely to see such commitment to their faith and honoring a day of rest.

Re: This Labor Day, how would you change our work culture?

Connie — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 19:37:09 -0000

I agree with C&D re: 4 day week and equal pay for equal work. I would add better parental leave for both moms & dads. Also, better vocational training. Bringing back jobs to our shores. Stop penalizing working immigrants, too. It would be a wonderful thing if in high school young people were given opportunities to explore vocations and maybe each 17 or 18 year old once graduated should serve our country in some beneficial way, be it armed serves or pastoral services or any kind of outreach to others who need them.

Re: This Labor Day, how would you change our work culture?

hadley — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 18:54:43 -0000

Carrie, who would have thought that 40+ years after the beginning of the second wave of feminism we'd still be discussing this. As a part of that beginning, I have to keep counting the gains that have been made, and gird my loins to keep it going. As a septagenarian grandmother, I'm proud of the 3 feminist men I've reared and their very accomplished women partners. PS. I've also fought for flex time, shared jobs, fair treatment for rape victims, abortion for those who chose it, and who knows how many other issues.

Danielle, I completely agree with your push for a 4 day work week. And I gave up pantyhose in the 70's (no one seemed to notice, and I was so much more comfortable), I fought the good fight against flourescents as well with a lot less success. When I worked in an office, I took a small desk lamp and turned off the overhead lights. That helped, but in the early 80's I started my own business work. Good decision, still working.

It's so reassuring to hear my younger sisters are keeping the second wave rolling,

Your organizationally-impaired sister in the march toward fair, healthy play in the workplace.

Re: This Labor Day, how would you change our work culture?

Heather — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 18:11:00 -0000

How would I change our work culture?
1. Teach everyone that what you do is not who you are. It's ok not to love what you do if you can be grateful that you are providing for your family.
2. One year maternity leave + on-site child care.
3. Pay teachers more (see: www.theteachersalaryproject.org).
4. Get rid of the weird Social Security requirement that you can't work more than a certain # of hours while collecting benefits (otherwise you are hugely taxed), because our mature citizens have so much to offer society.
5. 35-hour work week, 4 weeks of vacation
6. Have high standards for what we do, yet be satisfied with doing less: "Quien mucho abarca, poco aprieta." (He who puts his arms around much squeezes little.)
7. Daily yoga classes. (hey, I can dream...)

Re: This Labor Day, how would you change our work culture?

writer11 — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 17:13:58 -0000

Westerners are so uncivilized when it comes to working and actually, most things to do with 'living.' For example; Don't take your vacation in Paris during the month of August because the whole city pretty much shuts down then. Many European shops close for several hours for lunch and a nap. I don't recall the number of weeks vacation they're given but it's way more than 2 or 3 weeks like we start off with here in North America and both husband and wife are given generous mat leave, Now having said that, take a look at the perks and company culture at offices of 'Google.' What a dream... But, THE most important issue would definitely be, as Carrie articulated, equal pay for equal work. I am loving the new show 'Mad Men." But, it sure brings back what it was like working during that era.. I experienced some of that, during the late sixties through the nineties.. it got better, but I had to fight that 'Old Boys' Network." We have come a long way but the road is still winding.

Re: This Labor Day, how would you change our work culture?

Erika — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 17:02:19 -0000

I respect stay at home mothers immensely and am considering being one when I have children, but I think the idea of explicit compensation for mothers is not really a good one. Mothers are materially compensated already because they do not have to pay for someone else to do what they are staying home to do.

That said, I do think being a stay at home mother should count towards acquiring social security benefits.

Re: This Labor Day, how would you change our work culture?

Erika — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 16:53:34 -0000

Work places close to home, ideally within walking/biking distance. Commuting is bad for our health (mentally and physically), it is bad for the environment, and it is bad for our communities. This is compounded by the fact that workplaces tend to cluster for efficiency (when did efficiency become more important than happiness).

If I could change our work culture, workplaces would be scattered throughout communities. People would have more ability to work from home and from community work centers (larger companies might have their own distributed work centers while employees of smaller companies could share).

If everyone worked from nearer to home a few days a week, it would cut down on traffic, we would be able to eat lunch with our families, and we would all be a lot less stressed. (Plus, we might have less pointless meetings if we only have face time a couple times a week.)

Re: This Labor Day, how would you change our work culture?

Susie Hutchinson — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 15:47:06 -0000

I love how Europeans approach life and work. When work is done, it's done.

Re: This Labor Day, how would you change our work culture?

Vanessa Rae — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 14:15:27 -0000

your reply is powerful. I am a new stay-at-home mom, 25, happily married. Post pregnancy has been tough. I love being a mother, I love my the time I spend with my son. But I face this, sometimes overwhelming, pressure to go out there and be SOMEBODY. These days I think young women face the challenge of the feminine movement (going out there and taking advantage of all the possibilities we can become) and being a homemaker. That very word has made this transition that much easier for me. "Homemaker". Why is there no honor in that anymore? Why are those skills not as important as a "go-getter"? I'm learning to embrace where I'm at in my life. On a one-income budget we are striving to emphasize and teach to our children what's truly important in life. Being resourceful, family, conversation, a love and respect for nature, books instead of lots of toys. I'm embracing the duties, the cleaning, the budgeting, the cooking. And I'm reframing my words, I'm nurturing my family with food, I'm creating a clean environment where my family feels comfortable enough to relax and be themselves. I give stay-at-home mom's a standing ovation (along with the working mom's and single mom's) for trusting their own voice. For putting their heart and soul into the mission they have been given. To instill one of the great lessons of life into your children : Your greatest art should be your life. Pursue Wisdom.

Re: This Labor Day, how would you change our work culture?

Uncle Beefy — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 13:57:27 -0000

This question sends my head spinning! Carrie & Danielle... ABSOLUTELY! I remember working for a large bank in the 24-hour customer service department and being assigned to a "task force" to find out how to improve morale and, thus, customer service. Unanimously...a 4-day work week was requested! The company response...find something else...?!?!? (Then why ask?!) But I fully support that proposition, Danielle. And, a decent maternity leave might actually suggest that family is, perhaps, at least AS important as the work machine.

This, honestly, is a difficult answer to sum up. Outside of my current state of unemployment, I haven't taken a vacation from work for probably 3 years? Lunch breaks almost never happen until after I've been off of work. Or some 15 minute, suck-it-down attempt at "lunch". My last job had me working 50-60 hours a week for 40-hours of pay...and then tried to deny me pay when I became sick. I fought that one! I haven't had health insurance for years. Etc. So, as you can see, this is a loaded question for me.

At the very least, can we not all agree on some type of addition of a siesta culture? A little down time for some lovely lunch, chatting with friends or family, and maybe a glass of wine, would work wonders for my productivity.

Oh...and can we all stop feeling guilty for when we just do nothing?

Okay...I'll stop now. ;)

Re: This Labor Day, how would you change our work culture?

Marlene — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 13:47:35 -0000

I did not read C & D's response or any of the other responses before writing mine so I would not be influenced by them...but WOW...I couldn't believe I left out the equal pay for equal work equation, increasing the minimum wage and the hour and a half lunch break as they do in many parts of Europe...now we're talkin'!!!

Re: This Labor Day, how would you change our work culture?

Marlene — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 13:25:59 -0000

How would I change our work culture? Let me count the ways...
We work way too much in this country, so first I would shorten the number of hour we work in a week to 35 hours. We also do not get as much time off as other countries so I would increase our vacation time to at least one entire month a year for every employee. People need additional time off during the year for any number of reasons, so I propose generous time off for maternity leaves (adoption included), sick leave and time off to take care of a sick member of your family,and bereavement leave.

I think businesses should be more sensitive to their employees needs such as healthcare, childcare and providing a place to exercise for their employees (an employee's gym). How can an employer provide all those things for their employees or why should they provide those added benefits? It is my belief that everyone would win in that kind of situation. Added production for the employer/company and peace of mind for the employees...a WIN/WIN proposition for all! Employees who have what they need to be happy and healthy are far more likely to stay with a company longer and work harder for that company as well. If companies would use the money they give their CEOs (huge salaries and bonuses) to pay for these beneficial changes for ALL employees they probably wouldn't have to find additional funding to implement these programs. And that is how I would begin to change our work culture!