Recent studies (which I've blogged about) found that having a happy, supportive spouse is highly important to our overall work performance, and some companies are taking such findings to heart by creating trendy workplace perks around spousal participation.
An article in today's New York Post reports on employers who are busy incorporating employees' spouses into the company fold by offering brown-bag continuing education lunches, third parties that can answer pressing benefits questions, and opportunities to accompany spouses on all-expense-paid business trips, among other things.
These companies are finding that this type of spousal inclusion helps to create a happier, more loyal, and more harmonious workplace, especially these days when many employees can feel overworked and tethered to their work gadgets 24/7.
When a working spouse must work late or must bring work home, the other spouse invited to participate in various company perks is less likely to see the work as disruptive to family time because he or she feels more included in "our" company. The employee might feel less trepidation in taking on the work, too, knowing his or her spouse is going to be okay with it.
Klick Health CEO and "The Decoded Company" author Leerom Segal agrees with this holistic approach. The health agency recently flew employees and their significant others to its annual Town Hall meeting in Toronto — all-expenses paid. He says when employers provide perks and experiences to significant others, it’s a no-brainer motivator. "When the employer needs a little extra time or concentration, the employee is much more able to say, 'I have to work late tonight because I have this big project coming.' But if the spouse or partner feels recognized and valued, the workers are "far more likely to be supportive."It turns out that the saying "happy wife, happy life" is true! (Sorry, I haven't had enough coffee to think of a "happy husband" equivalent.) Maybe we can expand it to "happy spouse, happy workhouse"? Eh, no. That sounds awkward. Let's just call it the "workplace marriage motivator."
Brown-bag lunches for spouses on various professional or "ask an expert" topics are a fantastic idea, sort of like auditing a college lecture. Of course, if the employee's spouse works full time as well, then these brown bag lunches might not work for his or her schedule. But it's the thought that counts, right?
Okay, I know what you're thinking. This "workplace marriage motivator" stuff is simply a creative way to wring even more out of employees who wear a wedding ring! Perhaps.
But if it works, it works, and there's a lot of work to do. So if a client brings his or her spouse to a future working dinner or far-flung business conference, then you'll know what's up.
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