1. Maintaining Balance: Work and Life
ECFC CHAPTER 4
7/3/2001
CHAPTER 17
Maintaining Balance: Work and Life

2. ECFC CHAPTER 4
7/3/2001
Chapter 17 Objectives
Define work-life balance and describe the benefits to both employer and employee.
Identify some of the physical and mental effects of stress and learn ways to minimize these effects.
Understand the effects of substance abuse on job performance and how companies try to minimize these effects.

3. ECFC CHAPTER 4
7/3/2001
Chapter 17 Objectives
Describe several methods of effective time management.
Discuss the importance of maintaining proper health practices.

4. Work-Life Benefits
Work-life benefits are benefits that employers offer to help employees gain some measure of balance between work and home.
In , 50% of employers increased the number of work-life benefits they offered.
Work-life benefits help companies
Raise morale.
Enhance recruitment efforts.
Stay competitive.
Increase their image in the industry.

5. Factors Affecting Work-Life Benefits
Demographics
More working parents in the workforce
More older workers in the workforce
Technology advancements
Location and time flexibility
The meaning of work
Paid work
Home work
Gift work
Study work

6. Stress Stress is a physical response to environmental pressures.
Physical and psychological challenges trigger a stress reaction.
With the rapid pace and pressures of daily life and work, we are constantly under stress and have little time to reenergize.

7. Stress Overload
Excess stress may result in physical or mental disorders and unhealthy behaviors.
A healthy lifestyle can help you deal with stress and other health-related matters.
Types of stressors:
Emotional Stressors—worries, conflicts, rushing
Physical stressors—poor nutrition, allergies
Chemical stressors—caffeine, cigarette smoke

8. Symptoms of Job Stress Increased absenteeism Reduced civility
Physical ailments
Sleep dysfunction
Reduced human interaction

9. Substance Abuse
Stress overload can lead to unhealthy behaviors, such as substance abuse.
Substance abuse is the misuse of alcohol, illegal drugs, or prescription drugs.
Costs U.S. businesses approximately $81 billion dollars each year in:
Decreased productivity
Absenteeism
Theft
Industrial accidents
Excessive benefits use

10. Commonly Abused Substances
Alcohol
Cocaine
Marijuana
Sedatives
Tranquilizers
Amphetamines
Club drugs
Inhalants
Hallucinogens
Narcotics
Anabolic steroids

11. Fighting Substance Abuse at Work
Employers try to curtail substance abuse through:
Drug testing
Pre-employment testing
Expected interval testing
Random interval testing
“For cause” testing
Treatment follow-up testing
Employee Assistance Programs
Employee education

12. Coming to Terms with Substance Abuse
Substance abuse damages
Relationships
Finances
Work
Health
If you recognize a problem, take action.
Use your company’s confidential employee assistance program.
Check the phone book for treatment and counseling centers in your area.

13. Dealing with Suspected Substance Abuse in Employees
Judge on performance and do not accuse employees.
Do not accept excuses for prolonged performance problems or absenteeism. Document all poor performance.
Help employees get treated if asked.
Do not preach or moralize. Offer assistance with tact and diplomacy.
Do not allow impaired employees to operate equipment.
Refuse to enable or cover up for them.
If performance does not improve, begin disciplinary action--up to and including discharge.

14. Symptoms of Poor Time Management
Indecision
Rushing and lateness (“white rabbit habit”)
Stress illnesses
Irritability and anger

15. Managing Time Assess your time management habits. Use a time log.
Make a time management action plan.
Desired result
Change required
Target Date
Actions Required
Key People Involved
Evaluate/modify
Minimize time wasters.

16. Identifying Time Wasters
Lack of planning
Drop-in visitors
Telephone “tag”
Procrastination
Ineffective meetings

17. Managing Meetings Provide an advance agenda with timed subjects.
Invite only those people who are needed.
Start on time.
Set clear goals/purposes for the meeting.
Set time limits on the meeting and topics.
Prevent hidden agendas or disruptions by strictly adhering to your planned agenda.
Record and assign action items during the meeting.
Distribute meeting minutes within 48 hours.
Schedule an action item follow-up.

18. Maintaining Your Health
Eat a balanced diet and manage weight.
Limit alcohol and caffeine consumption.
Stop smoking.
Get regular exercise.
Use relaxation techniques.
Enjoy leisure time and stress-free activities.
Reduce stressful thoughts, attitudes, and behaviors.
Cultivate healthy attitudes and behaviors.

19. Leave Stress at the Office
Try to end the day as smoothly as possible. Start unwinding before you leave.
Make a list of what needs to be done the next day.
Maintain a positive perspective.
Use your commute to unwind.
Arrange for quiet time after work.
Do not make dinner an ordeal with fancy meals. Turn off the TV and limit work-related conversation.
Do not overschedule leisure hours.

20. Identify Personality Characteristics
Workaholics--consumed by their jobs and derive little pleasure from other activities.
Likely candidates for heart attacks, depression, hypertension, insomnia, and physical ailments.
Type A Personalities--highly competitive, aggressive, achievement-oriented, and impatient.
More likely to experience stress symptoms and twice as prone to cardiovascular diseases.
Type B personalities--more relaxed, easy-going, and even-paced in their approach to life in general.
Identify patterns in your personality and strive to reduce any Type A tendencies.

21. Key Terms Work-life benefits Stress Substance abuse Alcohol Cocaine
Marijuana
Tranquilizers
Amphetamines
Club drugs
Inhalants
Hallucinogens
Narcotics
Anabolic steroids
Sedatives

22. Key Terms Pre-employment drug testing Expected interval testing
Random interval testing
“For cause” testing
Treatment follow-up testing
Enabling
Time management
Procrastination
Planned agenda
Hidden agenda
Workaholics
Type A personalities
Type B personalities