by Herminia Ibarra in The New York Times, January 22, 2012
Much research has shown that women bear the brunt of today’s “extreme job” work culture.
As an academic, I’m lucky: I can come and go as I please as long as I keep publishing my work. I wish that there were a way to extend this flexibility to more men and women.
As a new mother, I tried working more full days from home. But people at work said I wasn’t around enough, and I believe that my post-maternity-leave compensation reflected that perception. Fortunately, a few months ago, I found a better way to divide my time between home and office. And it all started with a comment from a colleague.
It had never occurred to me to come in later and leave earlier, but it made perfect sense. So I tried it. I started taking my son, who is now 6, to school more often, even when my husband was free to take him, too. Walking over as a trio is a delight that carries me through the rest of the day.
As all working moms know, school mornings aren’t just a time to bond with your child. They offer an essential lifeline to all you need to know but that no one would think to tell you if you didn’t hang around the school for a while. I discovered a small circle of parents who gather over coffee near the school and trade stories about the tribulations of parenthood — all before dispersing to their respective tasks after 9.
I also started coming back home from work early enough to help my son with his homework. And I do much of my writing — a major part of my job — from home, early in the morning and in the evening. I still work very hard, but I now have more energy for both my family and my work, and I’m more productive. Thankfully, by avoiding rush hour, I also spend less time in my car.
Women and Time by Barbara McEwen and John Agno (Dec 19, 2011) - Kindle eBook| Formats | Price | New | Used | |||
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When Doing It All Won't Do: A Self-Coaching Guide for Career Women--Workbook Edition by Barbara A. McEwen and John G. Agno (Oct 12, 2011)
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