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Rolling Back Work/Life Benefits?
February 25, 2009
A bend in the road is not the end of the road, unless you fail to make the turn.
-Anonymous
-Anonymous
"...companies don't need to cut benefits if workers do it for them. You can hear it when you talk to working moms, all the old theme songs played at twice the volume. Do I dare ask for flextime? Miss the meeting for the doctor's appointment?.... As conditions get worse and 75,000 jobs turn to powder in a day, the strain on survivors can only grow. It doesn't help that on TV every Tom, Dick, and Suze keeps telling us that this is a good time to 'dig in and show your boss how good you are. Take on extra projects. Shine at whatever you do.'
"A job, like a marriage, has its honeymoon phase, its strengths and strains and things that make us crazy. But now as all our emotions are rewired, we are grateful for what we once just assumed and frightened of things we once ignored. It would be lovely to rely on the wisdom and benevolence of bosses everywhere to realize that when people are frightened about losing their job, loyalty, productivity and morale all plunge. If employers are tempted to exploit such fears, squeeze more work out of fewer people, roll back benefits because there are 100 people lined up for every job, they may find that as in so many things, the short-term fix is the long-term dumb."
Being with Babies: Understanding and Responding to the Infants in Your Care is a great resource for both beginning and experienced caregivers. Each chapter describes an issue that caregivers face daily, offers scenarios that illustrate the challenge, suggests solutions caregivers can use to address the issue, and concludes with a review of key points. Being with Babies teaches caregivers how to handle everyday challenges while learning about developmental stages. This hands-on resource is perfect for caregivers of children 6 weeks to 18 months old, as well as for staff development and resource libraries.
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Comments (4)
Displaying All 4 CommentsCornerstone Campus Preschool
Port Huron, MI, United States
The first time I read the article, I focused on the last paragraph, as I went back to re-read, I think that the mention of benefits is interesting...what benefits? In our field, there are little to no benefits. Our staff get a paycheck...there are no other financial benefits to "roll back"...they've already been rolled back by simply working in this field. We don't have health insurance, life insurance, retirement plans, or paid days off. Thankfully, our staff work in this field because they love the children and know that what they do is important.
Cornerstone Campus Preschool
Port Huron, MI, United States
As an employer, I know how invaluable my current employees are. Even if there are hundreds lined up outside the door waiting for an opening, I know that it is better to work with the staff I have than to opt for the unknown. The costs to hiring a new employee (i.e. paperwork, clearances, physical, training, etc.) are one thing, but then take into account that you never know what the next person would be like...possibly, probably, worse than the difficult employee you have now.
Young Child Development Center, Inc.
Appleton, WI, United States
As an employer, I need to say that we are all in this together and I don't plan on cutting any benefits, but at the same time if the income isn't there I would rather cut a benefit than having to lay someone off. If it comes to that point decisions must be made for survival of the center. In this field, most owners think with their heart more than they should. We are nurturers and I feel that this article assumes that owners don't care. We do, please know that.
Eagle Wing EEC
Winnipeg, MB, Canada
What struck me about the article, is the part about flex time. Some employees like the idea of being able to work a little overtime to make up for appointments, and take the time hour by hour, but the regulations say that overtime must be paid at time and a half and employers don't want to do that. That causes more trouble than benefits.
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