Modern working practices strain family relationships, particularly women’s

A new piece of research has discovered something that many busy mums and dads are already all too well aware of.

Modern “human resource management practices” — or in other words, how employees are expected to work, what monitoring systems are in place, and how they perceive their jobs — are placing a significant strain on family relationships. And it’s particularly bad for women.

The strain on relationships has been measured as equivalent to working an extra 120 hours a year. That’s over two hours extra per week.

Employers are finding new ways of attempting to increase productivity, such as team-based forms of work, performance-related pay, individual development, and automated surveillance of how much employees work.

Strain is particularly high in more administrative roles, where monitoring is the standard, such as in call centres.

Both men and women may become anxious about childcare arrangements when they’re under pressure at work, but women are less likely to get help at home from a male partner if the men are under work pressure.

“Computers and IT systems are bringing surveillance to most workplaces. Now for the first time we can see how this development is damaging employees’ well-being,” said Michael White, who co-directed the research study.

(Via NewKerala.Com)

High child care costs mean 1 in 4 women delay or decide against having children

One in four women have decided against having children altogether, or are delaying having one, because of the high cost of quality preschool and child care, according to the anti-crime organisation “Fight Crime: Invest in Kids”.

28% of women aged 25-34 have delayed starting a family or decided against having a second or subsequent child.

Law enforcement leaders are calling on Congress to increase support for child care and Head Start. Research shows that when at-risk children receive quality child care and Head Start, they are less likely to end up in trouble with the law when they grow up.

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8 things NOT to do to a professional nanny

The new movie “The Nanny Diaries” has the founder of the first and only English nanny school in America a bit perturbed about how nannies are portrayed.

Sheilagh Roth, founder and executive director of the English Nanny & Governess School in Chagrin Falls, OH, says, “Professional nannies — those trained for the role of nurturing and rearing children through childhood — would never, never tattle about what goes on in the personal lives of her employers.”

Here’s her list of eight “No-nos” for employees.

1. Respect: Don’t treat nannies as live-in slaves. They are professional child-care experts, not housekeepers, maids, or family chefs. Verbal abuse is not tolerated.

2. Duties: Don’t expect them to be on call 24/7. Duties outside of normal hours are considered overtime. Nannies sign contracts spelling out duties, benefits, and compensation.

3. Authority: Don’t allow other family members to give orders. Nannies report directly to the heads of the household.

4. Privacy: Don’t discuss the nanny’s private life. Nannies are trained to be discreet about your family matters and expect the same courtesy. Nannies should have separate and private living quarters.

5. Communication: Don’t abdicate child development responsibility. Open dialogue is essential for discussing the child’s developmental progress.

6. Vacation: Don’t automatically expect the nanny to accompany the family on vacation. Expect to pay for travel and overtime.

7. Exclusivity: Don’t expect the nanny to baby sit for your friends or relatives.

8. Clean-Up: Don’t expect your nanny to clean up after your parties or mishaps.

Nanny-Governess.com