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Work/Life Balance: How Many Are Achieving It? LifeCare® Poll Has the Answer
Opportunity knocks for employers, health plans, insurance providers
and member-based organizations willing to help people achieve balance
WESTPORT, Conn., November 28, 2005 – When it comes to balancing
our daily roles and responsibilities, the vast majority of us are struggling—a
lot. In a recent poll by LifeCare®, Inc., one of the nation's
leading providers of life management services, participants were asked, “How
difficult is it for you to balance your many roles and responsibilities (e.g.,
spouse, parent, worker, grandparent, volunteer, etc.)?” Here's how they responded:
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Very difficult — 41%
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Somewhat difficult— 30%
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Extremely difficult— 24%
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Not difficult at all — 5% |
“There's no mistaking those results—people are struggling
and they need help,” says LifeCare co-founder and CEO, Peter G. Burki. “Sixty-five
percent of respondents are having a very or extremely difficult time balancing
their work and day-to-day responsibilities. That's a shame … but it's also
an opportunity.”
Opportunity Knocks
Burki says that employers, health plan providers, insurance
programs and other membership-based organizations have a unique chance to give
people the help they need to better manage their lives, reduce stress and live
more productively. “And they can do it all by offering a comprehensive
work/life program,” he states.
Burki isn't referring to an off-the-shelf or “cookie-cutter”
work/life program but a state-of-the-art program designed to address the full
range of challenges people face today. LifeCare's life management program, for
example, consists of telephonic health and wellness coaching; advanced caregiving
assistance for those caring for older loved ones (including in-home and in-facility
assessments by professional geriatric care managers); pre- and post-retirement
planning that focuses on the non-financial aspects of retirement (ongoing work,
volunteerism, remaining productive and achieving personal fulfillment); and
a host of other services aimed at making people's lives easier to manage.
“Work/life programs make sense for any organization that wants
to help its key constituencies live better lives—whether that means employees,
members, customers or others,” states Burki. “Any organization interested
in strengthening its relationships with these important groups should consider
offering work/life services. They're cost-effective and they're deeply appreciated.”
LifeCare provides 24/7 counseling, education and referrals
via a call center and award-winning web site, and the company's comprehensive
work/life program is based on seven basic pillars: Child Care and Parenting
Services; Successful AgingSM Services; Health and Wellness Services;
Financial Services; Legal Services; Educational Services; and Daily Life Services.
No matter what challenges people face, LifeCare provides information and resources
designed specifically to help individuals resolve their needs quickly and with
expert guidance.
LifeCare's work/life balance poll was conducted during the
month of October on the company's private web site and was open to employees
and members of its 1,500 client companies nationwide. A total of 279 individuals
responded. Each month, LifeCare posts a poll on its private site asking individuals
to share their thoughts and opinions on the latest issues and work/life trends.
Past polls have addressed topics such as family caregiving challenges, flexible
work arrangements, workplace safety, barriers to on-the-job productivity, and
the reasons workers would like to reduce their hours or quit their jobs.
Notes to Editors
Peter G. Burki is available for interview.
About LifeCare®, Inc.
With 22 years of experience in delivering highly
personalized counseling, education and referral services, LifeCare helps
people manage the day-to-day challenges of their lives and plan for their futures
more effectively. From child care and parenting needs … to elder care and
aging
challenges … to personal health concerns … and far beyond …
we provide high-quality tools and information 24/7 through our professionally
staffed call center and award-winning web site. LifeCare currently serves 1,500
client companies with 4.5 million individuals within health plans, governmental
agencies, unions and corporations. For more information, visit www.lifecare.com.
Media contact: Michael Civiello
LifeCare, Inc.
pr1@lifecare.com
203-291-4170
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