principle of ethics that apply to work-life balance. Work-life balance provides an outwitting advantage for individuals to creating a stronger relationship at home and work. The dedication to find a balance in both categories will eventually lead to limited stress and more relaxation at home with family and friends. In order to climb up the corporate ladder, Weinstein writes that the ethics including the importance of being a good human being, caring for yourself and others, remaining an employee in good standing, and working smarter, not harder are the key to a healthy life. I agree with Weinstein’s principles of ethics which highlight the consideration of yourself, family, friends, customers, and employees when retaining a business. One of the most talked about ethic that provides peace between working and taking responsibilities at home is self-care.
Weinstein states the basis of being a good human being is treating yourself. It is essential to keep track of your health for it is not fair “to others and yourself if you haven’t had a vacation in a long time, or if you force yourself to work when you’ve got the flu” (154). Throughout his essay, it is highly implied that Weinstein is suggesting his readers to prioritize health before anything else. If an employee is sick, it may affect your working abilities and may result in consequences that may put your job at risk. Rather than working on a daily basis, Weinstein recommends to stay in shape mentally and physically, thus, to venture out and get involved in sports or the gym. For example, play basketball, swim, hike, ride the bike, do something that is enjoyable. By doing so, it will help relieve stress, raise your energy level, boost your confidence, improve your mentality, build a stronger immune system, and formulate you into a happy person. To maintain your health means to keep a balanced diet and sleeping schedule. In other words, it is crucial to eat three meals a day: breakfast, lunch, and dinner. This also includes getting a minimum of seven to eight hours of sleep every night. Although health, work, family, and friends is a big part of your life, putting yourself first shall be your priority. For example, you can indulge in your pleasures, by …show more content…
singing, dancing, or watching your favorite television shows. These methods can help rejuvenate and relax your mind, thus, allowing personal growth. Another ethical principle that is important to pursuing a balanced life between work and private activities is fair time management. Weinstein writes, “As a manager, you must constantly ask yourself how you should allocate your time” (154). He emphasizes the flaw in spending a large amount of time on one project or managing one customer which effects you from interacting with other customers. Divide your time to supplying for your clients and spend valuable time with your family or friends. The more you are engaged in time management skills, the less you procrastinate and the faster you accomplish your goals. Time management, however, does not mean to merely work harder, but smarter. The phrase “work smart” means to have the full potential to critically think your situations through before putting action into it. To work smart is to have self-awareness of your needs, the capability to avoid procrastination, and instead to build on your strengths. In other words, it is smart to determine your strengths and to work around them to find the most efficient method processes. Time theming and timing yourself are relevant examples that parallel “work smarter, not harder.” For example, to manage my schedule, I would theme days to ensure a school and life balance. Days that involve a pedicure, facial, haircut, or threading facial hair are themed “Spa Days” and days that I would spend hours in the library either writing an essay, reading a book, or completing a math assignment are themed “Study Days.” By theming specific days, it will provide flexibility in organizing a structured agenda. Although you can easily resort to working harder, developing steps to recognize what is important and what is not is the key to a balanced life. Effort matters, however, knowing the right time to effort makes all the difference. To remain an employee in good standing is also another ethical point discussed by Weinstein. The large amount of hours you work does not necessarily signify that you are the best worker. In addition, working gratuitous hours will not guarantee the avoidance of getting down-sided. It will only destroy your employee status, Weinstein writes, “You might look like someone who can’t manage his or her time or isn’t up to the responsibilities of the job” (155). He, then, emphasizes on the difference between the need and the choice to work extra hours. There are employees who need to work seventy hours to provide food and shelter for their family and there are those who choose to stay seventy hours to “be able to afford lavish trips, expensive clothes, or certain lifestyle” (255). Working will begin to become an addicting habit and will therefore, wash away your priorities. Instead of devoting your full time to working in the office, learn to draw a line in between work and personal time. Plan a vacation, go to the gym, or maximize family and friend bonding times. Simply leave work at work. Scheduling activities in your schedule will prevent you from spending multiple hours at work. I completely agree with Bruce Weinstein’s ethics of work-life balance because by balancing work life and personal life, it not only improves an employee’s health, but also promotes an organizational and optimistic environment for the customers and the whole company, itself.
The employee is minimized of breakdowns and is provided a clearer focus. In other words, if you are home, your attention is given to family, but if you are in the office, all focus is on business matters. My mom, for example, demonstrates a proper work-life balance. As a loan manager and a single mother of two, it may seem difficult to juggle. Throughout a span of years, she has developed not only in her company, but as a mother, as well. Her ability to think ahead, prioritize, and find time for herself has improved her efficient work performance. In her office, she allows herself to work three hours, maximum, before taking a lunch break and continues to work through the day until evening. While heading home, she mentally scribbles a plan for the night which includes cooking for my brother and I and later, going to the gym. Her attention is no longer focused on work, but rather on the decision to whether cook noodles or rice. Thus, she is now prioritizing family. To recharge and stay healthy, she goes to the gym at least two to three times a week. In that way, she is not only focused on business-related activities. To avoid pit falls, she accordingly, plans vacations for our family to enjoy and relax.
Her work-life balancing techniques has definitely improved her perspective at work, she no longer dreads waking up early to go to work because she knows that there are many benefits to working smarter, not harder. Overall, the ethics of work-life balance stated by Weinstein is relevant in the sense that it is essential to prioritize yourself, while still considering your family, friends, and employee status. To establish a stable balance between your personal and work life, it is important to concentrate on yourself including eating healthy, staying in shape, getting the right amount of sleep, and luxuriating in stress-relieving activities. The method of time management, according to Weinstein has also taken a toll in work-life balance. The smarter you work, the less time is wasted. The harder you work will only decrease your efficiency. Time management also applies when you’re an employee, therefore, it is not healthy to work long hours just to secure your job position. Business should be left at work to allow your mind to rejuvenate while at home. Reflecting on each of Weinstein’s work-life balance ethics, I find that they are easily applicable for I have witnessed my mom adjust to these ethics. In today’s society, employees are highly expected to develop flexible working conditions. Thus, to remain a competitive business with skilled workers, to find peace between your work and personal life is essential.