„Work life balance” Conference in Prague

„Work life balance” Conference in Prague

Work life balance on the Polish Job Market

Iza Michaliszyn

HR Competencies Consultant

2011

Work life balance Conference in Prague

Many changes took place on the Polish Job Market.


These changes refer to: Polish economy, organisations, people *„Problem równowagi między pracą a

życiem osobistym (WLB) na tle tendencji w zarządzaniu zasobami ludzkimi”

In terms of economy we could mention: globalisation, informatisation, cultural diversity, customer

orintedness, dynamics of demands on the job market

In terms of organisations, we can say about:● intellectual capital, key competencies, limitation of hierarchy,

new HRM systems

In terms of people we may refer to:● knowledge/ expertise of employees, no typical form of job,

teamwork, dealing with stress, work-life balance


Human Capital is nowadays one of the most important resources in economy

Human Capital should be treated as an asset

Human Capital is an indispensible condition in terms of building a business and a market advantage as a:

resource of productivity, flexibility, creativity, innovation.

But often Human Capital in Poland is not treated as a business advantage!


Main consequences of these changes for Polish Job Market are:

● necessity for the employees to adapt to on-going companies' changes

● uncertainty of employment● necessity of dealing with new professional roles and

challenges


It causes many problems e.g. an outstanding stress, working beyond one's capabilities, neglecting one's private life and personal needs.

As a consequence, it leads to disturbing work life balance.


From my experience I would say that most companies do not offer work life balance programs. Some companies propose these programs as a regular element of job contract (especially international organizations know, that programs like these are useful and may determine business results), but many of them treat them as employees' individual matter.


Why some companies propose these programs:

because some employees and teams are crucial for the company

employee's leaving leads to problems and necessity of a new – often expensive – recruitment/ training process

company loses its investment


and...

happy, satisfied employees work more effective!

*„Problem równowagi między pracą a życiem osobistym (WLB) na tle tendencji w zarządzaniu zasobami ludzkimi prezentacja, Aleksander Pocztowski, Akademia Ekonomiczna w Krakowie, 2007, (http://www.asmpoland.


What these companies do in terms of work life balance? *”Innowacyjne formy zatrudnienia, równowaga między życiem osobistym a pracą – narzędziem skutecznej motywacji”

● they give their employees more autonomy● they promotes one's responsibility (empowerment)● they underline cooperation between managers and staff● they adapt one's professional duties to one's personal

requirements


How do they do this?● by matching employees’ and companies' values and goals● by identifying one's professional and private roles● by being open to new forms of cooperation


and...

by knowing that effectiveness does not depend on the amount of time spent on tasks but on energy invested!

It will result in a higher level of motivation to job, to get success, to be willing to stay in a company.


Tools that allow to implement work life balance programs:

• flexible working hours (at company's office, client's office, employee's home, traveling, an individual schedule)

• tele-working• part-time job• unpaid leave• job on demand


Tools that allow to diversify work life balance programs:

employees' education (also in terms of time management, setting the right priorities, knowing one's individual needs better – e.g. coaching)

unpaid seminar's leave low-interest loans package of retirement pension expanded medical services support in one's caring of family members (child, elder

parents) co-fund cultural and sport events


Work life balance policy requires not only an awareness of the company’s board members but also cooperation between managers and staff in:

communication concerning needs and capabilities identifying real requirements with regards to results and

benefits of performing tasks sharing responsibilities and tasks being responsible for one's own activities as well as team's

activities*„Innowacyjne formy zatrudnienia, równowaga między życiem osobistym a pracą – narzędziem skutecznej motywacji”/

prezentacja, Jolanta Jaworska, IBM Polska, http://www.asmpoland.

com.pl/kobietapracujaca/prezentacje


What if a company does not care about work life balance?


An employee:* „Pracoholizm a neurotyzm”

● is not able to work in an effective and flexible way● is not able to concentrate on his/ her tasks● makes mistakes, even causes accidents● may not respect some procedures and regulations● is often on a sick leave● may avoid changes and new challenges● may leave the company


From my experience I may say that not always it is the company that is responsible for not obeying to the rules of work life balance. There are many people who want work beyond "the regular hours", breaking their own emotional and physical "immunity". It may depend on many different aspects, but some of researchers underline one's special predispositions to be addicted to work.


Being a workaholic may mean:

● losing control over one’s behaviour (in terms of assessment of the amount of working hours and tasks)

● inability to refrain oneself (cessation of working)● growth of engagement in work – more tasks, more hours time,

more higher demands towards one’s professional expectations and job’s results

● concentration only on a job, lack of concentration on others aspects of life

● less job satisfaction ● higher probability of illness


Job is one of the most important aspects of one’s life (equally with a personal life, a family life, material issues), but for workaholics it is the most important thing and – as others addictions – causes a deformation of personal life (lack of time for the family, divorces, etc.), subsequently – also of a professional life (imposibility to fulfil one’s own duties, approach to confrontation/ conflicts, lack of ability to take a rest, on-going tension, pressure of doing job, lack of job satisfaction, perfectionism, etc.).


Addiction to work is caused by neurotic features of personality: a neurotic need of love, a sense of inferiority, a fear against failure, striving for recognition and acceptance. Workaholism is supposed to drive out/ reduce a fear, a sense of uncertainty and grow up one’s selfesteem as well as other people’s acceptance.

Workaholism is a way of confirmation of one’s own selfesteem by searching external symptoms of acceptance and recognition.

Workaholics wants to achieve an ideal image of themselves and other people’s acceptance, it causes a „motivation to achieve” that appeals in on-going job’s engagement.

*„Pracoholizm a neurotyzm”, Dorota Kozak, http://www.e-mentor.edu.pl


What workaholics can do?

Should check:


Job, family, friends are equally important Your personal priorities are in harmony with your

professional priorities When you are at home you are in „a home state of

mind” Your personal and professional life suplement each

other You are able to be satisfied with your job, the family

and others‘ company You are able to overcome a failure You are happy with what you do and you feel useful You feel good, satisfied and not concerned too

much You fulfill your duties without problems and too

much effort, being happy with your job All aspects of your life seem to be ok and make

sens

Job, family, friends are not equally important Your personal priorities are not in harmony with your

professional priorities When you are at home you are charging your battery

for work Your personal and professional life do not suplement

each other You are not able to be satisfied with your job, the

family and others‘ company You are not able to overcome a failure You are not happy with what you do and you do not

feel useful You do not feel good, satisfied and you are

concerned much You have problems at work and take many efforts,

not being happy with your job All aspects of your life do not seem to be ok and do

not make sens * „Idealna równowaga”


So: stop, then: feel and think.

What is important for you? What would you like to achieve? Who would you like to be?

Expand your imagination. Change your perspective. Take your decision. Be calm. Specify your goals. Find a balance.

Take your first step *„Idealna równowaga”, Paul Wilson, Laurum, 2010


Summary:

Economical changes = personal and professional changesPersonal and professional changes = disorder in work life balance

Disorder in work life balance = companies + individual predispositions towards willingnes to get benefits and „crossing”

borders

Sometimes disorder in work life balance is not a result of companies ‘ determination towards benefits and profits, sometimes it’s a result of employess’ approach and individual neurotic predispositions in

terms of addiction to work.We should care about ourselves, knowing our aspiration and goals.


My presentation is based on my professional experience in consulting as well as on:„Idealna równowaga”, Paul Wilson, Laurum, 2010

„Pracoholizm a neurotyzm”, Dorota Kozak, http://www.e-mentor.edu.pl

„Problem równowagi między pracą a życiem osobistym (WLB) na tle tendencji w zarządzaniu zasobami ludzkimi”/ prezentacja, Aleksander Pocztowski, Akademia Ekonomiczna w Krakowie, 2007, (http://www.asmpoland. com.pl/kobietapracujaca/prezentacje/Problemy_w_rownowadze_miedzy_praca_a_zyciem_osobistym _A_%20Pocztowski.ppt)

„Innowacyjne formy zatrudnienia, równowaga między życiem osobistym a pracą – narzędziem skutecznej motywacji”/ prezentacja, Jolanta Jaworska, IBM Polska, http://www.asmpoland.

com.pl/kobietapracujaca/prezentacje/Innowacyjne_formy_zatrudnienia-Work_Life_Balance_narzedziem_skutecznej_motywacji.ppt)


Thank you

„Work life balance” Conference in Prague

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