Work-Life Balance Creates Greater Opportunities For Women In Business

Can employees have a fulfilling career and a life? Jefferson Wells, a professional services firm, says Yes!

by Connie Brown

October 1, 2006

D uring my time in the working world, it has been my experience that women aspire to be independent and professionally successful. Why, then, do some highly ambitious women leave great jobs? Some women leave to raise a family, earn a degree, provide care for an elderly parent, increase their income or find a more satisfying career. Typically, it is not because the work is too challenging or demanding. Women work to earn status, power, recognition and purpose, as well as a monthly income. However, in order to work, many women need flexibility in the workplace and they need that flexibility over the entire life of their career.

While there still seems to be resistance at the executive level to offer flexible or part-time working arrangements, such situations can actually pay off for companies in terms of improved recruitment and retention of talented professionals and in greater productivity, despite the shorter hours. If a professional is talented, a company is better off having them work part-time rather than not at all. If women decide to completely leave the workforce for a period of time, for whatever reason, they want opportunities to return to flexible work arrangements that include challenging work. Companies need to ensure that when these highly skilled women return to the marketplace, they return to their company and not a competitor.

Businesses need to constantly change their business model to be successful. Why not change the company's human capital model as well? After all, employees are the biggest sources of value to a company. Companies that ignore employees′ family-life concerns do so at their own risk. Successful companies have figured out how to fully utilize all of their professionals. The key is not to view work-life balance as a fringe policy, but as an essential way to be productive and to do business. It takes a strong and clear tone at the top, in addition to professionals willing to take advantage of flexible policies that are in place, if the stigma often attached to non-standard working arrangements is to be removed.

When many people first hear about the work-life balance philosophy at Jefferson Wells, where I have worked for eight years, they assume it is only for women who require more flexibility to raise their children. But work-life balance is not only about kids. It is about husbands, families, friends and communities. Every day, I see a host of strong, successful women at many different stages of their lives and I realized that we all profit from the flexibility and respect we receive at Jefferson Wells for various reasons. Here are a few of their stories:   

• Lisa is a single parent. She wanted to continue to excel in her career and be afforded the opportunities available to others following a more traditional path. She needed the time to pursue an advanced degree, but could not do so after work or on the weekends. Jefferson Wells provided her the opportunity to work part-time for a few years so she could attend classes during the day while her daughter was in school. Once she graduated, she decided to go back to full-time employment, and has since been promoted to a management-level position.

• Sharon always dreamed of traveling to Europe, but never had enough time to do so. Jefferson Wells enabled her to take extended time off from work so she could pursue her dream and still have a challenging job when she returned.

• Linda wanted to ease into retirement by enjoying more leisure time, but she also wanted to continue to work and be productive part of the year. Jefferson Wells allows her to spend seven months out of the year working on challenging and fulfilling projects utilizing the experience and knowledge developed in her long-standing career, while spending the other five months enjoying life in Florida. She spends time with her grandchildren and is a much happier person and employee because she is satisfied in both her work and her family life.

• Vicky worked for Jefferson Wells for six years, where she spent most of her time focusing on her career and had been very successful. Once she and her husband started a family, she decided to work part-time. Jefferson Wells did not assume that because she was working part-time that she would no longer be able to handle difficult and challenging work. This woman is now an excellent mother to her children, while also managing one of the largest engagements in our firm, which affords her the satisfaction, recognition and fulfillment in both work and personal life.

These women are proof that whatever path you choose, there can be a flexible solution. Companies need skilled and experienced professionals and need to realize that people are better employees when they are happier with both their professional and personal lives. This acceptance fosters an environment of ambition and creativity that can benefit clients.

I do not want my life to be defined by my job title alone. Instead, I have found a balance in my life that has given me more time to do the things I have always enjoyed, such as reading, spending more time with my family and having time to socialize with friends.

There is a preconceived notion that flexible work schedules translate into less-effective corporations. However, managers are learning to think more creatively about how work can be organized while still achieving job success. Companies are talking more about the value of retaining talent and the value of continuity in organizational know-how, and how that adds to quality, productivity and customer satisfaction. The important thing for employers to remember is that everyone is different. This is a significant challenge to managers of talent. However, we must not close our minds, but instead find creative and flexible solutions. It can be done!

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Connie Brown is director of internal audit & controls for Jefferson Wells. She is responsible for the development and execution of the strategic plan for internal audit & controls for the Atlanta market. Jefferson Wells is a professional services firm specializing in internal audit, technology risk management, tax, accounting and finance in 45 offices around the world.