Celebrate! October–National Work and Family Month
Tomorrow begins the month long celebration of National Work and Family Month. As I wrote last year, National Work and Family Month is for everyone to recognize the importance of work and “family” in every form. From the Alliance for Work-Life Progress at World@Work website:
“National Work & Family Month is a national education campaign led by AWLP, an affiliate of WorldatWork, to raise awareness among employers about the value of work-life effectiveness as a business imperative. The month of October was first designated as National Work & Family Month by a Resolution of the United States Senate in 2003. The U.S. House of Representatives reaffirmed October as National Work & Family Month in 2008.
But this year, more than ever before, employers need to know there is an inexpensive, effective way to motivate and retain top talent they’ll need to get through tough times. Employees need to know it’s good to utilize work-life programs offered at an organization because it will help them become more productive.
AWLP encourages all workplaces to pause once a year during the month of October to communicate and celebrate the progress to creating healthier and more flexible work environments. This year, employees are encouraged to strike a balance by talking to their managers about a flexible work arrangement. Use October as a time to try telework, condense a workweek, join a wellness program or organize a workplace volunteer activity.
“Work-life is good for business,” says Kathie Lingle, WLCP, executive director of AWLP. “Dedicating a month to this aspect of overall people strategy helps employers increase the attraction, retention, productivity and engagement of the talent required for organizational success. It reminds both employees and employers of the exchange relationship that connects their mutual needs, interests and satisfaction.” (Click here for tools and resources for employers and employees, as well as to share your success story).
Nominate!–Work-Life Rising Star Award (Deadline November 1st)
In March, 2007, I was honored to be selected as part of the first class of mid-career work-life leaders to receive the AWLP Work-Life Rising Star Award. Three years and three classes of Rising Stars later, we are now part of a growing group of dynamic, passionate individuals from around the world who are committed to working together to advance the field of work-life. And we are helping the Alliance for Work-Life Progress look for the next group of thought-leaders to join us for the journey! Nominations are now being accepted for the 2010 class of Work-Life Rising Stars. The deadline in November 1, 2009. Click here for information and the nomination form. If you have any questions, please contact Jessica Burrus at WorldatWork, jessica.burrus@worldatwork.org, 480-304-6764.
Check Out!–Work Life Nation Premiere Webisode “Work Life Culture Post 9/11, We’re a Work Life Nation”
Judy Martin recently launched the first webisode of her Work Life Nation WebTV Channel. I’m one of the experts Judy interviews about work, life, and career in the post 9/11 world. Other experts offering insights include: social media gurus, Chris Brogan and Gary Vaynerchuck; brain researcher, Dr. Andrew Newberg, and spiritual expert, Deepak Chopra. Check it out along with future episodes on how to achieve “Success, Serenity, Significance 24/7.” From the Work Life Nation website:
“In the first episode of WorkLifeNation Success, Serenity & Significance 24/7 – you’ll hear about how the internet as a catalyst is changing the way we work and do business in a challenging new economy. We’re more connected, and our workplace is evolving, entrepreneurs abound and many work from home. Be it baby boomer, Gen X or Gen Y, many thirst for more meaningful work, but demand more family and me time. The lines have blurred in the quest for success, serenity and significance in our worklife .
We’re redefining success in terms of values, passion and profit. You’ll hear from author and entrepreneur Gary Vaynerchuck of WinelibraryTV.com. Passion is the underlying theme in his book: “Crush It.” Social Media Guru Chris Brogan who wrote “Trust Agents“ with colleague Julien Smith, talks about the core value of trust, when doing business on the internet.
But to succeed -we have to keep the flame going and that means Serenity: cultivating resilience while navigating sensory overload. Exercise, Yoga and mediation are gaining speed at work. That’s where Andrew Newberg M.D shares from his book, “How God Changes your Brain.”
From there you’ll hear from Cali Williams Yost – CEO of WorkLIfeFit Inc. We’ve done some work together and she’s got her finger on the pulse of worklife flex. The more flexible we are the easier it will be to make a difference -and that’s where significance comes in. Conscious work toward a greater purpose. Deepak Chopra weighs in on his thoughts.”
In these radically changing times people are clamoring for more humanity in work and in business. Question is, how can we have more meaningful work and master success, serenity and significance in the chaotic waters of a world that changes in an instant. You’ll hear a lot more from these pioneering voices in future episodes of WorkLifeNation.”