Unanticipated Career Consequences From Work-Life Programs

 

Company benefits are great when they allow you to take some days off to take care of a very sick child or an ailing elderly parent or to have a baby. There is a catch, though. In recent years, studies have shown that those who take advantage of these benefits - benefits promoted by the company mind you- often experience negative career consequences.

Take a minute to appreciate the irony here. Programs set up to help workers avoid conflicts with work, if used, create significant career conflicts at work.

There is some good news, however. A recent study shows that one way for workers to avoid such career obstacles is to have "strong" supervisors, those who will support and advocate for that worker during an extended absence and upon return from being away. 

Certainly you have workers in your organization that you want to work with over and over in your projects and your projects demand that all workers be available to ensure progress is made. Yet, you want to provide the flexibility afforded by work-life programs because these programs do improve the work environment and you definitely do not want your favorite workers' careers to suffer.

If one of your preferred workers makes use of work-life programs and takes an extended absence, be proactive in your support for that worker.  For example,

• Make sure you describe the absent worker as "returning soon" and proactively plan for specific tasks for the worker upon return.
• Plan work schedules to accommodate absences so they do not become an issue for the worker(s).
• Reschedule work to accommodate a "surprise" absence so that others do not suffer from the absence.
• If appropriate, defend against efforts to replace the worker permanently.
• Upon return, get the individual up to speed quickly and communicate the worker's availability. Reiterate your respect for the worker and your happiness at their return.

If you become part of the problem by not acting as an advocate for your high-performing worker, then you may lose that worker form future projects.