The Impact of Your Relationship on Work

The expression, “Don’t mix business with pleasure,” is a familiar one.  Or, a variation of it is “It’s not personal -- it’s only business.”  Clearly, the attitude in our society is one that separates out the emotional aspect from the business one. 

I sort of wonder if this is a residual that is left over from the fact that traditionally, only men worked while women stayed at home with the kids.  And if a women did enter the work force she had to be tough.  Heaven help the woman who demonstrated any behavior that was emotional.

Since last week’s post was about helping to connect with your partner while you’re at work, I’d like to continue today on the theme of work.  And I’ll deviate a bit from my usual blogs in that I want to make commentary that’s a little bit of “coloring outside the lines,” so to speak.

One small step for business

It seems to me that it is long overdue that those in high places come to the realization that you can’t keep one’s work life and one’s home life totally separate.  First of all, as I mentioned last week, the days of working 9 – 5 are long gone.  There’s stress at work and there’s stress at home and the two do meet!

For a while, I attempted to offer some relationship courses to businesses.  They were frowned upon.  Why?  Because the sentiment was that this type of information was not appropriate in the workplace.

Yet, there is research that indicates that when relationship education is given in the work place, it actually helps the bottom line.  Does that surprise you?  Think about it.  If something personal at home is upsetting you, are you really doing your job properly?  Of course not!  Though your body is at work, more than likely, your concentration is compromised. 

Perhaps, you end up spending a good portion of your day on the phone with your mate trying to work something out or reacting to a continuing problem.  Again, you are involved in activities that aren’t work related.

It has even been shown that issues at home will have consequences on attendance.  Many people end up staying out because they’re so upset.  And since stress does impact physical health, there are a greater number of resultant illnesses which then spikes up the insurance rates that the business has to pay out.

Making changes

Every year I attend a conference about relationships.  There is always at least one session on how to approach businesses so that they are willing to have relationship education offered to their staff.  Generally, it is advised to suggest “back door” ideas.  In other words, the programs aren’t called relationship in nature and are presented as things like conflict or stress management. 

In all fairness, there are a few companies who have actually seen the light and realize the benefits of offering such information.  But for the rest of you, let’s be honest -- it’s tough times out there.  The long work day, with all its pressures, put stress on one’s home life; and then when couples don’t know the skills to deal with each other, things spiral down only to impact work. 

In all honesty, I’m hoping with the readership of this site, I will have been “heard” by some people of influence.  There are lots of ways to present this information without it taking away from the workday.  Here’s another expression everyone is familiar with: “One hand washes the other.”  I truly believe that when business opens its mind to these types of programs everybody wins!  After all the bottom line is it makes so much sense and it will make cents.