The Current Design of Work No Longer Works!

You feel like you’re bumping your head up against a wall. You want to work, or you need that paycheck, but you want more time with your kids. Is it really too much to ask for? No, but you're up against a long history!

Think about it. The current design of work was created at a time when a man went to work and a woman stayed home full time. That was just the way it was. Men could only be completely committed to their work because they had that constant support on the home front. There was someone there to take care of the kids, do the grocery shopping, let the plumber in. Men didn’t have to worry about any of that. The definition of success on the job became putting in the hours, being available, placing work first.

Well, the world has changed. Women now have more choices. It’s wonderful! Thanks to those who fought for equality before us, we can now be anything we want to be in the workplace. We have entered the business world in full force. The problem is that some aspects of work have not kept up with the times. In many organizations the definition of success is still the same: put in the hours, be available, place work first. Without a constant support person at home, however, this just is not realistic. There are going to be times when we need to be home. Kids will get sick, plumbing will leak. We will be pulled in more than one direction.

To decrease the stress we look for flexible work. And it’s great that it’s there. But too often, taking advantage of a part time position or working a flexible job means sacrificing success on the job. The data supports it. There are often less promotional opportunities and lower pay. Is this how it should be? NO! But we are still stuck in the old definition of success on the job.

We need to transform the definition of commitment to profession and success on the job. This, my friends, is the battle for our generation of women. If we take time away from work to stay home with our kids for a period we are doing the most important job that there is. Why does this lower our value in the marketplace?

When we’re home with our kids for a few years we are not sitting on the couch eating bon bons! We are organizing, coaching, coordinating, managing, negotiating. These are all very marketable skills.

When we work in a part time position we are still fully committed to our work. And often, the workload is larger than the time allotted. We take our workweek down to 20 hours per week but maintain 35 hours worth of work. We work more efficiently, are more productive, we fit it all in.

When we share a job the organization is getting two skill sets for the price of one.

When we work a flexible schedule we are more flexible for the organization as well.

How often do you work with people who JUST put in the face time? They talk about how busy they are, they are at work for hours on end ~ but what do they really accomplish? Just putting in face time does not help the organization become more successful. The reality is that we add value to the organization even if we have competing responsibilities because we are committed and we care whether we're working full time from home or part time in the office. The old definition is not the right definition. So let’s work to erode it.

As each of us asks questions, we poke holes in the old way of thinking. As each of us shows our value to the organization while we balance all of our responsibilities, we move away from the old definition. Take credit for all of your accomplishments. Stay informed about promotional opportunities. Know what the going pay rate is for your profession and ask for it. Keep pushing the envelope, keep asking, keep striving for greatness. We will get there! Together we can do it!

The Current Design of Work No Longer Works! - To learn more about this author, visit Kirsten Ross's Website.

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