Comments on: Workers’ health, HR’s failure and employees’ responsibilities http://www.careerlifeconnection.com/blog/2009/09/23/workers-health-hrs-failure-and-employees-responsibilities/ The quest for flexibility in a rigid world Fri, 19 Mar 2010 15:54:23 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Judy Martin http://www.careerlifeconnection.com/blog/2009/09/23/workers-health-hrs-failure-and-employees-responsibilities/#comment-900 Judy Martin Tue, 29 Sep 2009 15:18:13 +0000 http://www.careerlifeconnection.com/blog/?p=835#comment-900 Hello Leanne, Enjoyed the read. The findings in the report are not eye-popping to us but for the masses who drive by the real issues it certainly keeps the topic of work life integration or effectiveness on the radar of the public sphere. I agree that all those little perks - the dry cleaning, gym, trendy wellness programs can be viewed as inconsequential to the real conversation. Even to the point of diverting our attention away to the real discussions that need to take place. #1 Employers - corporate America needs to understand the financial and empirical value of pursuing better work life practices. #2 Employees need to step up to the plate - even in the face of being the loud mouth - to demand the discussion take place. Not an easy road - where's Susan B. Anthony when you need her???? Hello Leanne,
Enjoyed the read. The findings in the report are not eye-popping to us but for the masses who drive by the real issues it certainly keeps the topic of work life integration or effectiveness on the radar of the public sphere.

I agree that all those little perks – the dry cleaning, gym, trendy wellness programs can be viewed as inconsequential to the real conversation. Even to the point of diverting our attention away to the real discussions that need to take place.

#1 Employers – corporate America needs to understand the financial and empirical value of pursuing better work life practices.
#2 Employees need to step up to the plate – even in the face of being the loud mouth – to demand the discussion take place.

Not an easy road – where’s Susan B. Anthony when you need her????

]]> By: What a week for work life discussion | Families and Work Institute Blog http://www.careerlifeconnection.com/blog/2009/09/23/workers-health-hrs-failure-and-employees-responsibilities/#comment-899 What a week for work life discussion | Families and Work Institute Blog Tue, 29 Sep 2009 13:53:16 +0000 http://www.careerlifeconnection.com/blog/?p=835#comment-899 [...] Workers’ health, HR’s failure and employees’ responsibilities: On her site, Leanne Chase took away the following two messages from a call with Ellen Galinsky and Kerstin Aumann: o    “Think about those who lift weights that you know. They are dedicated not only to the days they lift, but to the days they rest and recover so their muscles can work at their best.  Workers can’t be expected to be at their best, either, if they don’t have rest/recovery time.” o    “The health care debate is not only about health insurance.  It is about how to lower costs and get a healthier nation.  Health insurance companies don’t control this.  Humans do.  Yes, health insurance clearly needs reforming…but so do attitudes and wellness programs.” [...] [...] Workers’ health, HR’s failure and employees’ responsibilities: On her site, Leanne Chase took away the following two messages from a call with Ellen Galinsky and Kerstin Aumann: o    “Think about those who lift weights that you know. They are dedicated not only to the days they lift, but to the days they rest and recover so their muscles can work at their best.  Workers can’t be expected to be at their best, either, if they don’t have rest/recovery time.” o    “The health care debate is not only about health insurance.  It is about how to lower costs and get a healthier nation.  Health insurance companies don’t control this.  Humans do.  Yes, health insurance clearly needs reforming…but so do attitudes and wellness programs.” [...]

]]> By: Susan Living http://www.careerlifeconnection.com/blog/2009/09/23/workers-health-hrs-failure-and-employees-responsibilities/#comment-888 Susan Living Fri, 25 Sep 2009 08:38:05 +0000 http://www.careerlifeconnection.com/blog/?p=835#comment-888 Hi Leanne, You're so right that health in the workplace is so much more than what's most commonly understood - so much broader than just a few perks and access to gym. Health at work and productivity and profitability can be enhanced by 2 way communication and the recognition of personal responsibility too. Thank you! Hi Leanne,
You’re so right that health in the workplace is so much more than what’s most commonly understood – so much broader than just a few perks and access to gym. Health at work and productivity and profitability can be enhanced by 2 way communication and the recognition of personal responsibility too.
Thank you!

]]> By: Kari Quaas http://www.careerlifeconnection.com/blog/2009/09/23/workers-health-hrs-failure-and-employees-responsibilities/#comment-881 Kari Quaas Wed, 23 Sep 2009 18:55:59 +0000 http://www.careerlifeconnection.com/blog/?p=835#comment-881 Hey Leanne, Great post. I'm glad that Chris Russell interviewed you at ERE so I now have a better idea about what you're about. Twitter is good, but reading a blog is better. I hope that we'll be able to meet in person sometime. Perhaps at Kennedy in Chicago. Have a great, balanced day! Kari : ) Hey Leanne,

Great post. I’m glad that Chris Russell interviewed you at ERE so I now have a better idea about what you’re about. Twitter is good, but reading a blog is better. I hope that we’ll be able to meet in person sometime. Perhaps at Kennedy in Chicago.

Have a great, balanced day!
Kari : )

]]> By: Cali Yost http://www.careerlifeconnection.com/blog/2009/09/23/workers-health-hrs-failure-and-employees-responsibilities/#comment-880 Cali Yost Wed, 23 Sep 2009 16:39:57 +0000 http://www.careerlifeconnection.com/blog/?p=835#comment-880 Excellent recap, and I am glad you focused on one of the keys points: We need to all sit down together and seriously and fundamentally rethink how, when and where we work and manage our lives. It isn't working--not for people and not for business. I particularly appreciated your insights into HR -- we desperately need to move all aspects of "work+life" out of the HR perk, benefit and program box and into the daily operating model of the business. My experience has been that HR struggles with how to make that leap. Finally, I am glad you agree with the role we all need to play in managing our work+life fit. I know we are afraid, but really there is so many small powerful changes we can make that would have a huge impact. Excellent recap, and I am glad you focused on one of the keys points: We need to all sit down together and seriously and fundamentally rethink how, when and where we work and manage our lives. It isn’t working–not for people and not for business.

I particularly appreciated your insights into HR — we desperately need to move all aspects of “work+life” out of the HR perk, benefit and program box and into the daily operating model of the business. My experience has been that HR struggles with how to make that leap.

Finally, I am glad you agree with the role we all need to play in managing our work+life fit. I know we are afraid, but really there is so many small powerful changes we can make that would have a huge impact.

]]> By: Lauren Young http://www.careerlifeconnection.com/blog/2009/09/23/workers-health-hrs-failure-and-employees-responsibilities/#comment-879 Lauren Young Wed, 23 Sep 2009 16:06:18 +0000 http://www.careerlifeconnection.com/blog/?p=835#comment-879 I agree, Leanne. Particularly on the point that corporations NEED to listen to workers. Everyone business I'm familiar with is trying to squeeze out more with less. I have friends all over the world who are busting their butt at work. For what? I tell these friends that no one is going to write on your tombstone that you worked 60-hour weeks during the recession of 2009. The "wellness" problem, obviously, is often at the top. If you work for a sick workaholic, it's a lot harder to slow down and do what's best for you, not your employer. This comment made me laugh: "Having a discounted gym membership that you never have time to use is NOT a wellness program." Yeah, NY Sport gets their money's worth from me, although I did make it to the gym today. And, guess what, I lifted weights! I agree, Leanne. Particularly on the point that corporations NEED to listen to workers.

Everyone business I’m familiar with is trying to squeeze out more with less. I have friends all over the world who are busting their butt at work. For what? I tell these friends that no one is going to write on your tombstone that you worked 60-hour weeks during the recession of 2009.

The “wellness” problem, obviously, is often at the top. If you work for a sick workaholic, it’s a lot harder to slow down and do what’s best for you, not your employer.

This comment made me laugh: “Having a discounted gym membership that you never have time to use is NOT a wellness program.” Yeah, NY Sport gets their money’s worth from me, although I did make it to the gym today. And, guess what, I lifted weights!

]]> By: Chrysula Winegar http://www.careerlifeconnection.com/blog/2009/09/23/workers-health-hrs-failure-and-employees-responsibilities/#comment-878 Chrysula Winegar Wed, 23 Sep 2009 15:43:07 +0000 http://www.careerlifeconnection.com/blog/?p=835#comment-878 Leanne. Great post hitting all the key issues and a clear call to action. Will be sharing your analysis a much as possible. Leanne. Great post hitting all the key issues and a clear call to action. Will be sharing your analysis a much as possible.

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