BALANCE WORK

AND FAMILY LIFE

Chapter 12
WORK AND FAMILIES

Chapter 12.1
 Work and Families

Families do household and income-

producing work.
The work can be assigned so that there
is balance in family members’ lives.
The quality of family life and job
performance are related.
 The Value of Work
Work is a valuable part of life:
 Work brings purpose and order to each day

 Work provides something worthwhile to do

 Work provides income & other rewards

 Work allows you to feel proud of a job well

done.
 Work can provide a sense of satisfaction or

fulfillment for the contributions you make.

 The Value of Work
Work ethic is a set of values based on
the moral virtues of hard work and
diligence. It is an attitude that
values hard work.
People with good
work ethic get
things done!
 The Value of Work
There are two kinds of work for
families:
Household Work – work that must be
done for the well-being of the people
who live in the household.
Income-Producing Work – This work
provides money for needs and wants
 The Value of Work
Household Work –
 Management skills for household work is similar to

those for a business

• Using resources wisely
• Dealing with people
• Scheduling
• Cooperation
 Visible Jobs: Meals, Cleaning,
Laundry, lawn care, maintenance...
 Less-visible jobs: paying bills, cleaning refrigerator,
planning meals
 The Value of Work
Income-producing work–
Amount of time required varies.
 Full-time: more time, but benefits and
money are greater; more expectations
 Part-time: more flexibility, less time

In many families, more than one

income is necessary.
The Value of Work
Who does the work?
 Traditional pattern
 Traditional pattern may not work!
Time available, skills
 Single people do it all
 Because there is no one to share!
 All family members need
to share in the work of the family
 The Value of Work
Assigning Family Jobs:
 Sometimes influenced by tradition

 Younger families are less tradition-bound

 Time available and when it happens

 Individual skills

 Kids can make meaningful contributions

 All family members need to share in

household work!
 The Value of Work
Communicating about household work:
 Agree on the household tasks that need to be

done.
 Understand family members’ feelings and ideas

about household work.

 Listen to suggestions for improving the system of

getting the work done.

 Remain aware of time commitments

 Support each other when there are problems

 Know what to do when problems arise.

 Jobs and Family Life
Income-producing jobs require a big
time and energy commitment.
So does household work.
Combining the two is like having two
full-time jobs!
Problems happen when one person
bears more of the load than the other.
 Jobs and Family Life
Family Life Affects Jobs:
Home pressures reduce work
effectiveness
Family problems deplete emotional
resources and cause distractions
Lack of Family Training – has not
learned good work ethic, etc.
 Jobs and Family Life
Jobs Affect Family Life:
Job Loss – loss of family income; stress and anxiety
Relocation – all family members may have to
move
Work challenges – deplete emotional energy for
home
Difficult Work Schedules – on call; conflicting
work shifts; etc.
Work Stress – tight deadlines, sales goals
 Jobs and Family Life
Need to balance Work and Family
Life
 Chapter Summary
Section 12.1 – Work and Families
 Work is valuable for the income and satisfaction it brings.

 A work ethic is a set of values based on the moral virtues of

hard work and diligence.

 Families do household work and income-producing work.

 Who does each type of work can be a source of debate

in families.
 Most families share both types of work.

 Men and women, however, tend to do different types of

tasks. Match the person to the skill needed.

 Careers and family life affect each other.

 Problems and issues in one area will impact the other.

MANAGING BUSY LIVES

Chapter 12.2
 Managing Busy Lives

Managing the work at home depends on

management skills and sharing the work.
Families also use help from others to
manage.
 Employer Support
What is going to be the priority in your
life?
Work or Family?
You and your employer may have
different priorities
Most employers want their employees
to be happy with their work and
family life.
 Employer Support
Work Schedules
 8-5 Work schedules may create

conflicts with family business

(appointments, etc.)
 Part-time work makes scheduling

easier, but few benefits

 Employer Support
Other options:
 Flextime – flexible working hours.

Gives some control over time

 Compressed Week – 4 ten hour days

or 3 twelve-hour days…
 Job Sharing – two people share the

job – along with income & benefits

 Employer Support
Workplace Policies:
 Leave of absence – employer provides
time off for specific reasons
 Limiting transfers
 Workplace assistance for
family problems
 Can you think of any
other policy solutions?
 Management at Home
A balanced life depends on how the
work is shared at home.
Family members benefit when they
each do their assigned jobs
cheerfully.
 Management at Home
Guidelines for Managing at Home (p233)
 List work to be done

 Evaluate standards

 Assign tasks to family members

 Set up a schedule

 Evaluate progress
 Management at Home
Tools for Managing at Home (p234)
 A Family Calendar – accessible to all

 Family Meetings – on a regular basis

 Family Bulletin Board – for lists, etc

 Family Message Center – notes, etc

Management at Home
Child Care
 Stay-at-home parent

 In-Home Care

 Family child-care homes

 Child-care centers
 Management at Home
Other Tools for Child-Care
 Adjusted Work Schedules
 saves expenses
 limits time as couple, family

 After-school supervision
 Transportation, cost
 Employer Programs
 Reimbursement – companies pay back expenses
 Child care centers on-site
 Help from Others
Family Support Systems
 Family, Friends, Neighbors
 Justplain “help out”
 Exchange time and services

 Community Services
 Commercial services
 Agency / government services
 Chapter Summary
Section 12.2 Managing Busy Lives
 It takes help and support to manage busy lives.

 Employers help when they offer options in work hours such

as flexible hours, a compressed week, or job sharing.

 Some companies have policies to assist families.

 These may include leaves of absence or services to help with

problems.
 Families can use tools for managing, such as family

calendars, meetings, or bulletin boards.

 Parents with children may need child care.

 Support from others can help balance work and family lives.