How to achieve work-life balance
Mother holding baby, using cellphone and laptop. A new study has unearthed some sly means that men use at the workplace to get to see their families more and still bag the promotions at the end of the day. PHOTO|FILE
What you need to know:
Also, the men were found to work together so that they could take unofficial leaves. For instance, they would cover for each other at the office.
If findings of this study are anything to go by, it looks like it’s time women stopped whining about getting more time off work for child care.
The researchers found that when the men took time off work to spend with their children or spouses, unlike the women, they didn’t call attention to it. This way, they gave off the impression of putting their jobs before all else.
A new study has unearthed some sly means that men use at the workplace to get to see their families more and still bag the promotions at the end of the day.
These are tricks that the present-day woman needs to learn seeing as she is still grappling with work-life balance and the wage gap at the workplace.
Researchers from Boston University conducted a study at a top US consulting firm. The aim of the study was to look into how men and women navigated the demands of being ideal workers. The study found that while they were still regarded by the management as top workers, up to 31 per cent of the male workers took significant time off work. The firm expected each of the workers to put in 80 hours weekly. A significant number of the men put in only 50 to 60 hours weekly but still got rewarded.
THE TRICKS
The jobs required that the employees travel extensively. The researchers found that the male employees were keen on arranging meetings with the local clients so that they could spend more time with their families.
Also, the men were found to work together so that they could take unofficial leaves. For instance, they would cover for each other at the office.
If findings of this study are anything to go by, it looks like it’s time women stopped whining about getting more time off work for child care.
The researchers found that when the men took time off work to spend with their children or spouses, unlike the women, they didn’t call attention to it. This way, they gave off the impression of putting their jobs before all else.
Men were also found to be super workers because they went out of their way to understand exactly what each client wanted. This way, they were able to get their jobs done with minimum effort.
The men were also found to go out of their way to appear as hardworking to colleagues and to the management. They made sure to sign in to their emails and also took calls at all hours so as to appear busy.
The researchers found that with these tricks, the men were able to get the jobs done, spend some time with their children and spouses and still get bonuses and other rewards like those who worked 80 hours a week. Employers, it seems value a display of commitment above all else.
