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The better our workplace, the healthier we are. That's not just a theory, it's a fact, part of a massive study conducted by the Families and Work Institute and released Tuesday. (Full disclosure: the head of FWI, Ellen Galinsky, is an old friend, and her colleague on the release, Morra Aarons-Mele, is both a BlogHer Contributing Editor and a friend) The information, though, is not shocking. Employees in an "effective workplace" are heathier (including both physically and mentally) and more productive.
What's shocking is that things haven't changed more since I was raising my own sons in the 80's. It's kind of sad, really. And, although women are affected, it is not a "women's issue." Here are some of the facts:
- There are several factors creating an "effective workplace" - and that's the environment that enables a healthier worker.
- Factors workers rank as most important to them (and therefore supportive of better health) are: Job that are challenging and allow "learning" toward growth, Work-Life fit, A "Climate of Respect, Autonomy and Supervisor Task Support
No surprise there, just a sigh. We all know that.
But as corporations learn that better work-life balance, or fit, or "flow" depending on who's talking, keeps employees healthier, and, as Galinsky confirmed, as more men seek similar balance and broaden the demand, the ice is breaking.
One lovely blog, Becky and Hollee reported speaking to a group of nurses after a speech in West Virginia.
"Here’s the good news: When I asked whether nurses today were better equipped to balance work and life than nurses 20 years ago, almost 80 percent said yes! That’s progress, as far as I’m concerned. Many pointed to flexible scheduling as a key to their happiness."
We're learning and so are our bosses, so maybe the next generation won't have the same sense of weary familiarity when they read the next Family and Work study in five years. For now, thanks to the Institute for showing us where we are, how where we are affects our health, and how far we still have to go.
