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Doesn't it just make you want to laugh (or cry)?  A new study has found that men who try to balance their work/home lives are viewed more favorably than women. Say what? According to newswise.com, while some suggest that flexible work arrangements have the potential to reduce workplace inequality, a new study finds these arrangements may exacerbate discrimination based on parental status and gender. Among those who made flexible work requests, men who asked to work from home two days a week in order to care for a child were significantly advantaged compared to women who made the same request. Study author Christin Munsch, an assistant professor of sociology at Furman University, also found that both men and women who made flexible work requests for childcare-related reasons were advantaged compared to those who made the same requests for other reasons.  For her study, Munsch used a sample of 646 people who ranged in age from 18 to 65 and resided in the U.S. Par...

Love it.  So this is what some employers're thinking should be your routine for the day.  Really. Check what? That's right.  A survey has found that "'homing from work' may be the key," according to smartplanet.com.  New research by digital media firm Captivate Network shows that "merging work and your personal life in office hours may be the best method to not only maintain a better work-life balance, but also increase productivity while you're at your desk." I remember trying to sneak onto msnbc.com (and yes, QVC, for the Today's Special Value, just might have that sheet set that I need), when I worked at a desk in an office.  Then employers switched to software that could track your every move so I had to stop.  (Strangely enough, working from home, I never check either!) smartplanet.com notes that the company compared answers given in a survey this year to one two years previously. As a result, "There was an 11 percent incre...

When I started out in corporate life back in the '80s, most if not all the women in executive positions were unmarried and I can't think of one who had children. Today that's been changing. Many companies allow employees – both mothers and fathers – to work from home (though that has its challenges, too; more on that later). According to about.com, some of the best companies for telecommuting are Accenture, Federal Express, Sears, Wendy's, and Blue Cross/Blue Shield. The advantages for companies are many: save office space and reduce costs, help employees better balance home life and work, reduce absenteeism (how many moms and dads miss a day of work because of ear infections or strep throat?), and finally, happier employees who produce more. For the employee, it's even better. Less time commuting (more time spent on actual work), ability to stay on-task even with sick kids at home, less money spent on caretakers when both parents work, better...

We all strive for balance in our work and home lives but many of us never find it.  Your son’s softball game?  You said you’ll be there, but, oh wait, the boss needs that report before day’s end.  That meeting where you’ll be recognized for your work on that project?  It’s today. But so is your daughter’s dance recital. We’ve all been there.  Finding the right balance between our job’s requirements, and our home’s, has never been harder. But a new survey by CareerBliss, as reported by monster.com, has found some surprising news about the most satisfying jobs in the U.S. today.  Teacher or professor?  You didn’t even make the top 10. But database administrator, or quality assurance engineer, executive assistant or executive recruiter, underwriter or software developer.  You’re on top of the world.  These jobs were ranked happiest for many reasons.  For example, database administrators find a lot of freedom and creativity...