The Worklife Company
Creating balance for people and organisations
|
The Worklife Company Creating balance for people and organisations
|
|
Contact InformationThe Worklife Company The Lindens High Street Burbage, Marlborough Wiltshire UK. SN8 3AF t/f: +44(0)1672 811170
|
August 2008 Is it the Law?Law firms across the UK are beginning to do a lot more to attract and retain the best talent. Top of the list of initiatives are flexible working and networks for women and minority groups in the workplace. Over the last year we have worked with a number of Firms to improve flexibility, improve the career development of support staff and legal PA's and to redesign the workplace to 'future-proof' it for Gen Y. A recent article in the Wall Street Journal, also details what legal firms are doing across the USA. Click here to read the full article. Summer time, and the livin' is easy... or is it?I will never forget the chap who was trying his best to stop the fine Caribbean sand from gently blowing in between the keys on his laptop, whilst screeching down his mobile phone to his secretary in some oak-panelled office in drizzly London. My attention was drawn to this man's posture as much as his behaviour. He was slouched over both gizmos, his face in a contortion of anger and stress. His body, bent in miserly protection of his umbilical connection with the office. And then it happened, his son kicked the football to his brother, the ball bounced once, twice and landed with a thud on the sand; just in front of the laptop. The impact showered the computer with a cloud of sand; the fine grains seeking, searching and tapping the surface with gritty fingers of precision. The man stared, the boy stared, his wife and every beach inhabitant paused. It seemed that even the waves drew breath to wait in silence for this man's reaction. It didn't come straight away, but the man looked up from the computer towards his young son and his eyes and skin colour began to change. "I'm sorry dad!" The boy pleaded "We were only playing!" The man raged within, his eyes burned with anger, outrage, frustration and bitterness. It was his wife who spoke first. "Run along and play nearer to the shore!" she beckoned her boys. The children ran off to play; thankful for the reprieve. A heated discussion ensued between the couple in deep and dark whispers. Eventually, he rose, snatched up his laptop, his phone, his briefcase and his sun cream, and left the beach. We didn't see him again that holiday. He probably returned to London; to replace his laptop and to retreat to his office; to safety, to what he knew best. His wife and children? They stayed, they played; they relaxed and she vowed to end their marriage on her return. We empathised; after all, it is not easy to live with an addict. Whether it be drugs, alcohol or work, addiction is a difficult one for families to come to terms with. Work is a tough one though as it is the only addiction that is 'rewarded'. Or is it? After the forty years of service, what have these work addicts really got to show for their efforts? A carriage clock, a broken marriage, children that they don't even know, oh, and the the threat of premature death? It is an illusion of success, but no person is really successful if they gain the corner office, the big bonus and lose the love of those they hold most dear. This summer, if you are tempted to take the phone, laptop or email device with you on holiday, think twice... Isn't is time you learned to play a little too, before it is too late?
Lynne Copp, Managing Director, The Worklife Company for more, read Rocks and Pebbles on the Resources page and invite Lynne to present to your senior managers in the autumn. |
|
Send mail to
info@theworklifecompany.com
with questions or comments about this web site.
|
