Comments on: Random Thoughts–”Because I Did It That Way”-itis; Michelle Obama and Roger Clemens http://worklifefit.com/blog/2007/05/random-thoughts-because-i-did-it-that-way-itis-michelle-obama-and-roger-clemens/ Fit, Not Balance. Tue, 03 Apr 2012 21:22:23 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.2 By: Cali Williams Yost - Work+Life “Fit” Not Balance » Blog Archive » Merits of Negotiating Your “Fit” BEFORE Taking a Job http://worklifefit.com/blog/2007/05/random-thoughts-because-i-did-it-that-way-itis-michelle-obama-and-roger-clemens/comment-page-1/#comment-2357 Cali Williams Yost - Work+Life “Fit” Not Balance » Blog Archive » Merits of Negotiating Your “Fit” BEFORE Taking a Job Wed, 27 Jun 2007 23:08:55 +0000 http://worklifefit.com/blog/2007/05/24/random-thoughts-because-i-did-it-that-way-itis-michelle-obama-and-roger-clemens/#comment-2357 [...] Here’s an interesting side note from our conversation. A couple of weeks ago, I blogged about “Because-I-did-it-that-way-itis.” It turns out that blog meant a lot to Scott, because when he mentioned his work+life fit plan to his father, the response was, “Don’t do that. Are you crazy?” Scott realized that he couldn’t look to his dad, someone who never would have considered proposing such a thing, to support him. [...] [...] Here’s an interesting side note from our conversation. A couple of weeks ago, I blogged about “Because-I-did-it-that-way-itis.” It turns out that blog meant a lot to Scott, because when he mentioned his work+life fit plan to his father, the response was, “Don’t do that. Are you crazy?” Scott realized that he couldn’t look to his dad, someone who never would have considered proposing such a thing, to support him. [...]

]]> By: Anne http://worklifefit.com/blog/2007/05/random-thoughts-because-i-did-it-that-way-itis-michelle-obama-and-roger-clemens/comment-page-1/#comment-1862 Anne Mon, 28 May 2007 12:37:54 +0000 http://worklifefit.com/blog/2007/05/24/random-thoughts-because-i-did-it-that-way-itis-michelle-obama-and-roger-clemens/#comment-1862 Here's the other interesting reaction: that single and childless people have a lesser need for work-life balance. I'm employed by a large European firm. I started on a contract basis with a non-traditional schedule, working 7am - 3pm (which fits well with the schedules of european colleagues). I do some volunteer work some late afternoons that is very important to me, so this worked well. I was very open about this with all concerned. When the firm offered me a full time job, the hiring manager -- a 40 year old, single, childless American woman -- told me that I would have to give up my volunteer work. I refused, and compared my situation to that of a staffer who might need to leave the office on time to get their kids from day care. She said, "But it is not the same." (PS, I stuck to my guns, took the job; the hiring manager left the firm shortly thereafter, and things have worked out well!) Here’s the other interesting reaction: that single and childless people have a lesser need for work-life balance.

I’m employed by a large European firm. I started on a contract basis with a non-traditional schedule, working 7am – 3pm (which fits well with the schedules of european colleagues). I do some volunteer work some late afternoons that is very important to me, so this worked well. I was very open about this with all concerned.

When the firm offered me a full time job, the hiring manager — a 40 year old, single, childless American woman — told me that I would have to give up my volunteer work. I refused, and compared my situation to that of a staffer who might need to leave the office on time to get their kids from day care. She said, “But it is not the same.”

(PS, I stuck to my guns, took the job; the hiring manager left the firm shortly thereafter, and things have worked out well!)

]]>