Ways to create a healthy work-life balance for your employees

 

From Dr. Morayo Adisa

• Staggered employee schedules that consider individual requests and allow for reasonable accommodations.
• Incentivized subsidized gym/wellness center memberships to promote healthy living and well-being.
• Mindfulness and respect for boundaries with after-hours texting/communication to maintain a clear distinction between work and personal time.

 

From Dr. Shawna Flanagan

I am a small practice owner with multiple working moms as employees. We are a tight knit group, and everyone does their part to help each other out when things happen with the children. We have employees who stay later so the working moms can pick up their children from school or daycare. When a school play or concert occurs during the day at short notice, everyone chips in and picks up the slack if an employee must slip out of the office for a few hours. Over the years we have had children in the office for short stints when childcare fall through for someone. I think providing this culture helps attract and retain employees who otherwise might not be able to balance this work-life conundrum. 

 

From Dr. Randie Kim

I'm not a practice owner and I practice dermatopathology, but my current practice allows for staggered/shifted work hours that helps mothers who need to do drop-off or pick-up for their kids. In the past, I've worked at places that wanted me to be in the office 8-5, even if slides weren't available at 8am or if I finished my work at 2pm. Now, my time is used more efficiently and I still get all of my work done.

From Dr. Cather McKay
 

We have many working moms at our office, including military spouses, and I think what helps most is having a culture of understanding and flexibility. Employees are generally granted the time they need off without judgement or resistance. If some employees need special schedules due to family or other obligations, we often try to accommodate. In my opinion, this culture helps us keep good and responsible employees who do not take advantage.

 

 

 From Dr. Catherine Tchanque-Fossuo 

 

To create healthy work-life balance for your employees, employees need to set up clear expectations around work, that means to have open conversations and effective communication. Employers need to foster a supportive culture and encourage employees to set personal goals for their own professional development. Employers also need to recognize employees' efforts and compensate for their performance accordingly. It is definitely a team effort!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Women’s Dermatologic Society (WDS) News You Can Use Committee supports Dermatologists at any stage of their career looking to manage or start their own practice by offering resources on navigating the practice environment. Visit the WDS blog for more tips and advice.