I am my father’s daughter, I realized. My work ethics is an extension of my parents work view. My parent worked for a beverage company that operates 24 hours a day and seven days a week. He has work on holidays and even on Christmas day. I remember when I was younger, my dad will leave very early in the morning while we are still asleep. There are times he is already home and the company car will arrive to fetch him. On Sundays, he will bring one of us to work and the rest would follow so we will have lunch at our favorite restaurant. No wonder, he availed of early retirement and transferred to a less time demanding job.
Come to think of it, isn’t this the story of my life?
Call me workaholic and work devoted. I have been working for more than two decades now. Before I got married, I don’t mind working till late night and reporting for work on weekends and holidays. I don’t complain if the load is too much for me or if I am already tired and exhausted. I simply accept and enjoyed the perks of work. Work is a blessing, I always tell myself until I woke up one day feeling burned-out and drained.
I guess me and work, we seem not to blend well. Maybe it’s the work, maybe it’s me, maybe it’s the stars and their alignment or maybe it’s not meant to be. Just like any relationship, you only see the failure once you are no longer part of it. Thus, I can see clearly now what went wrong with my work relationship: the absence of work/life balance and finding the right job for my skills, knowledge and inclinations.
Imagining the ideal company
Imagine if you can work for a company that provides all the conditions you like. A company that offers a generous compensation with medical health benefits. A company that recognizes your need to take time off to be with family. A company that has a daycare center for your toddlers. A company that recognizes your contribution. A company that helps you find your job fit within the organization. A company that encourages you to study and invest in your professional growth. A company that encourages you to participate in designing the employee benefits or new products and even policy improvements. A company that allows you to be creative and think out of the box. A company that helps you plans for your financial wellness and retirement. A company that allows personal time to indulge in hobbies and sports. A company that does not discriminate as to religion and gender. Most of all, a company that shares your personal values. Is this just a wish list? Maybe not.
Best companies
Fortune 100 named Google as one of the best companies to work for. In search for the reasons why, I came across the article The 5 Reasons Googlers (Google’s employees) think it’s the best place to work by Oscar Raymundo. He provided the reason and quoted an employee to support his claim. Here are their top 5 reasons:
1. Work that matters – “My work is used by lots and lots of users.” Googler’s are motivated by their belief that their work has a positive impact on the lives of others.
2. Benefits for families – “Not only is the policy generous, but the atmosphere at Google is such that you can take the full leave and not hurt your career.”
Google boosted their parental-leave policies allowing new fathers and adoptive parents to avail of up to 12 weeks of paid paternity leave while mothers are allowed up to 22 weeks.
3. “Genius” co-workers – “The company attracts some of the best talent and best people to work with in the world, which is the most important bit.”
4. Smart perks – Google offers on-site doctors, free gourmet food, haircuts, and laundry services designed to keep employees satisfied.
5. Unparalleled career opportunities – “Opportunities for career growth, and tons of career development resources available.”
The above five reasons meet some my wish list and it makes me wonder: if Google employs me, will I stay for twenty years just like my dad? I guess I would.
The author is an MBA student at the Ramon V. del Rosario College of Business. This essay is part of a journal she kept in fulfillment of the requirements of the course, Lasallian Business Leadership with Corporate Social Responsibility and Ethics. Visit her blog at https://pinchofsalttotaste.wordpress.com/.
The views expressed here are the author’s and do not necessarily reflect the official position of DLSU, its faculty, and its administrators.