Confirmed (sadly): American's just can't seem to do the work-life balance thing right. With a national fabric that admires and pressures workers to put in the long hours and reach for the top, it seems built into our psyche to eschew things like taking time off and enjoying it--42% of employees felt obligated to work while on vacation, and a full quarter felt guilty for taking time off at all. But it doesn't stop there. Now that it's easier to plug in anywhere, anytime, many employers (and employees) are assuming it means the office is always open. Research found 45% of employees felt they had to check work emails after hours, and 47% felt guilt if they didn't work a little while at home or sick. Many of us are "on call" even when we're off the clock. With the U.S last in advanced countries
in offering paid time off and holidays, as one of the few countries that does not require
any paid paternity days, and with the
average retirement age hitting a record high and climbing, the work-life balance in America is utter crap. As President Obama pushes for
flexibility in the workplace and addressing the parental leave issues of this country in his federal memorandum this week, we can only hope that slowly, a more balanced perspective will come with it....and maybe a few more vacation days.
Mashable, June 2014
