SOC 207H1S Assignment 1: Sociology of Work and Occupations

Assignment 1: Making Connections
SOC 207H1S – Sociology of Work and Occupations
Course Instructor: Dr. Mark D. Easton
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Media Source Summary
The main source is an article published in The Globe and Mail and written by Paul Madden. In the article, Madden (2016) stated that one of the most significant performance indicators for leaders these days is to create an environment in which staff members are able to attain a healthy work/life balance. Luckily, more and more business organizations are recognizing that helping their employees to better manage the competing demands of their personal and work lives is not only good for the staff members, but for the company as well (Madden 2016). Work/life balance for most people is more like a teeter-totter, with the balance at times shifting more toward things at home and at times going toward work. The key is basically to manage those swings and understanding that at times one will need to dedicate more time at the place of work and at times he/she will have to spend more time for family or personal situations (Madden 2016). Managers should also recognize this. They should clarify to their staffs that flexible arrangements would be of benefit to both their professional and personal goals. The manager should also offer a frame of reference on how this could be attained (Madden 2016).
Connection to Topic/Issue/Debate #1: Work/Life Balance
Work/life balance consists of staff members splitting their energy and time between work and other vital facets of their lives. It is an everyday effort of making time for personal activities such as personal growth, friends, family, spirituality, self-care and community participation, as well as the demands of work. It is assisted by employers who put in place actions, procedures, expectations and policies which allow staff members to pursue more balanced lives easily. Pursuing work/life balance helps to decrease the stress experienced by staff members. When a worker spends most of her days in the workplace and feels as though she is abandoning other significant aspects of her life, unhappiness and stress will come about.
Connection to Topic/Issue/Debate #2: The Rise of Flexible Work
Flexible working is understood as a way of working which suits the needs of a worker, for instance working from home or they can have flexible start and finish times. It also allows an employee to vary his/her arrival and departure times from the workplace, or select the days that they want to work. A worker, for instance, may be permitted to arrive anytime between 9:00 am and 11:30 and leave anytime between 5:00 pm and 7:30 pm. The employer may also allow the worker to take off Thursday if he/she agrees to work on Saturday.
Connection to Topic/Issue/Debate #3: Work Decisions not Always Based on Personal Economic Gain
The decisions of people to work are not solely rooted in financial gain. In essence, people are motivated by different things besides money. There are intrinsic factors that motivate employees, for instance advancement, growth, responsibility, the work itself, recognition for accomplishment, and ach...